‘Finding Help, Finding Hope’ during Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 13% of children aged 8 to 15 years in the United States will experience a severe mental disorder at some point in their lives. Most mental health conditions develop by the age of 24, with 50% of lifetime cases of disorders emerging by the age of 14 in the form of autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, behavioral problems and depression.

To highlight the significance of early detection and treatment of pediatric mental health concerns, as well as raise awareness about the hidden impact of mental health disorders among young people, the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health has designated May 1-7, 2017 as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week.

The 2017 theme, “Finding Help, Finding Hope” is intended to promote family engagement and participation in the care of children with mental health concerns within legislation, policies and practices, as well as encourage holistic approaches to their treatment.

Within this week, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) will also hold a national children’s mental health awareness event, with celebrated Olympians Michael Phelps and Allison Schmitt acting as honorary chairpersons. The two will speak at the awareness event, held on May 4, about their own challenges and the connection between physical and mental health.

“Allison and I are excited to be a part of this national effort. As we travel all over the country, we’re often asked about our training, diets and routines for staying fit,” Phelps said in the release. “Being involved in Awareness Days and with SAMSHA gives us the chance to emphasize that paying attention to mental health is another important component of growing up healthy.”

As pediatricians and primary care providers continue play a pivotal role in the diagnosis and management of mental health problems, Infectious Diseases in Children presents the latest news coverage on mental health in the pediatric office, especially concerning ongoing shortages in mental health specialists, as well as studies on specific demographics and community influence.

Gaps in mental health training pose imminent crisis for pediatric care

More than ever, pediatricians and other primary care providers are finding themselves on the front line of child mental health care, whether screening for autism, initiating medications for ADHD or depression, or providing counsel for parents of children with behavioral problems.

To determine the scope and implications of this issue, Infectious Diseases in Children spoke with several experts, including psychiatric and pediatric experts, about the difficulties PCPs face in stemming the tide of behavioral and mental health problems among children, and how new training and reimbursement procedures may alter the role of primary care in identifying, diagnosing and managing pediatric mental health conditions. Read More

Developmental, behavioral issues more common among rural children

Rural children from small communities exhibited a higher prevalence of mental, behavioral and developmental disorders than children living in cities and suburbs, according to data from the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Read More

Workforce shortages culminate in 6-month ‘wait time’ for developmental pediatricians

The current shortage of pediatric subspecialists has resulted in a national ‘wait time’ of 6 months for children to be seen by developmental pediatricians, access further delayed by inadequate Spanish language accommodations, according to a study published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. Read More

Black teens with mental illnesses at increased risk for HIV, STIS

For black teenagers, who account for 63% of new adolescent HIV cases in the United States, education on proper coping mechanisms targeting depression, emotion regulation and sexual risk behaviors may reduce their risk for sexually transmitted infections. Read More

Transitioning to poverty negatively affects children’s mental health

Experiencing a new transition to poverty significantly increased risk for mental health problems among children in the U.K., according to recent findings. Read More

References: