Children's Mental Health Service

Providing effective children's mental health care requires a strong system of services. Many states, particularly those in the United States, are implementing policies and strategies to promote culturally competent and inclusive service delivery. Among other things, the EPSDT funds clinical decision making initiatives, including behavioral health screenings, and provides long-term funding for advocacy, family responsive services, and individualized treatment planning. The EPSDT also documents unmet needs at the county and state level. It has encouraged recipients to develop meaningful approaches to children's mental health needs as well as Children's Therapy . The National Survey of Children's Health reports that the number of children diagnosed with depression and anxiety grew 27 percent between 2016 and 2020. Researchers continue to develop new treatments for childhood mental disorders.

For a variety of reasons, fewer children than adults receive treatment in a medical setting. These findings highlight the need for a robust mental health infrastructure that ensures maximum interoperability across child serving systems. In addition, policy makers should consider the short and long term impacts of reducing and eliminating children's mental health services. For example, health disparities are especially noticeable for ethnic minority, disabled, and low-income children. In fact, health disparities are most pronounced for these groups, which have a history of oppression and discrimination.

In contrast, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that 20% of children with mental health needs receive assistance from a mental health professional. For example, a young boy may become depressed or anxious due to being teased about his weight. This could lead him to withdraw from social activities, avoid exercise, and become reluctant to play with others. In such a scenario, the mental health professional at the Meridian Adolescent Services can help clarify the underlying problem and recommend the best intervention. Oftentimes, medications are used in conjunction with psychotherapy. Some of these medications include mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and stimulants.

One way to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health care is to engage the patient's family. When a child's behavior interferes with their school and home functioning, a mental health professional can coach the parents on how to work with schools and other institutions to manage their child's behavior. A psychologist can also assist the parent in identifying resources for information and guidance on how to address the mental health concerns of their child.
Although many children require help with challenging behaviors, there are times when these behaviors are a normal part of growing up. However, when these behaviors are accompanied by behaviors that are dangerous or unsafe, a child's health and education can be negatively affected. A mental health professional can test for the underlying cause of the challenging behavior and work with the child's family to provide treatment and support.

The National Survey of Children's Mental Health measures the health of children, highlighting the importance of a strong mental health system. According to the survey, more than half of children in the United States are not receiving the mental health care they need. The federal system is failing to meet this need. The HHS agencies urge states to prioritize efforts to improve the quality of children's mental health care. For more insight on this post visit: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/mental-health.