Children in America were increasingly struggling with mental health before COVID-19, but the pandemic compounded an already growing crisis. Today in the U.S., nearly one in five children experience a mental health disorder. What’s just as alarming is that for every five children with a mental health disorder, only one will receive treatment.
In October 2021, leading pediatric healthcare associations declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health. This declaration was a stark warning for policymakers and the public to advocate for increased access to mental health resources. We need to take this warning seriously and take steps to make sure every child gets the care they need.
