Children’s mental health awareness week is May 4-10. The term childhood mental disorder means all mental disorders that can be diagnosed and begin in childhood (for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette syndrome, behavior disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders, substance use disorders, etc.). Mental disorders among children are described as serious changes in the ways children typically learn, behave, or handle their emotions.
Symptoms usually start in early childhood, although some of the disorders may develop throughout the teenage years. The diagnosis is often made in the school years and sometimes earlier. However, some children with a mental disorder may not be recognized or diagnosed as having one.
Childhood mental disorders can be treated and managed. There are many evidence-based treatment options, so parents and doctors should work closely with everyone involved in the child's treatment — teachers, coaches, therapists and other family members. Taking advantage of all the resources available will help parents, health professionals and educators guide the child towards success. Early diagnosis and appropriate services for children and their families can make a difference in the lives of children with mental disorders.
Mental health is important to overall health. Mental disorders are chronic health conditions that can continue through the lifespan. Without early diagnosis and treatment, children with mental disorders can have problems at home, in school, and in forming friendships. This can also interfere with their healthy development, and these problems can continue into adulthood.
Boys and girls of all ages, ethnic/racial backgrounds and regions of the United States experience mental disorders. Based on the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine report (Preventing mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders among young people: progress and possibilities, 2009) that gathered findings from previous studies, it is estimated that 13 –20 percent of children living in the United States (up to 1 out of 5 children) experience a mental disorder in a given year and an estimated $247 billion is spent each year on childhood mental disorders. Because of the impact on children, families and communities, children's mental disorders are an important public health issue in the United States.
Public health surveillance
Public health surveillance is the collection and monitoring of information about health among the public over time. It is a first step to better understand childhood mental disorders and promote children's mental health. Ongoing and systematic monitoring of mental health and mental disorders will help:
increase understanding of the mental health needs of children
inform research on factors that increase risk and promote prevention
find out which programs are effective at preventing mental disorders and promoting children's mental health
monitor if treatment and prevention efforts are effective
The following are key findings from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report about mental disorders among children aged 3–17 years between 2005 and 2011:
Millions of American children live with depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, Tourette syndrome or a host of other mental health issues.
ADHD was the most prevalent current diagnosis among children aged 3–17 years.
The number of children with a mental disorder increased with age, with the exception of autism spectrum disorders, which was highest among 6 to 11 year-old children.
Boys were more likely than girls to have ADHD, behavioral or conduct problems, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, Tourette syndrome, and cigarette dependence.
Adolescent boys aged 12–17 years were more likely than girls to die by suicide.
Adolescent girls were more likely than boys to have depression or an alcohol use disorder.
The estimates for current diagnosis were lower than estimates for "ever" diagnosis, meaning whether a child had ever received a diagnosis in his or her lifetime. Suicide, which can result from the interaction of mental disorders and other factors, was the second leading cause of death among adolescents aged 12–17 years in 2010.
Mental Health Month
Created in 1949, May as Mental Health Month is a month long education campaign to educate the general public about mental health, mental wellness and the ways they can keep their minds healthy. In 2014, this program reached over 6.9 million people.
Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety are real, common and treatable. Recovery is possible but many are not even aware they actually have a treatable condition. The organization known as Mental Health America has found that:
About 1 in 5 American adults will have a mental health condition in any given year.
Only 41 percent of them will receive services related to their mental health.
About 10 percent of the American adult population will have a mood disorder, such as depression or bipolar in any given year.
About percent of Americans have an anxiety disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
Become educated about mental health and help remove the societal stigma so more people can ask for, and obtain, the treatment they need.