According to pediatricians and mental health specialists, young Americans’ mental health has declined over the past decade.
The childhood mental health crisis is taking its toll on children and their families nationwide. As a society, we need to find ways to help kids with anxiety and make mental health care more accessible for families nationwide.
Most Common Child Mental Health Issues
Children and adolescents’ most common mental health concerns include anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and depression. Also, some kids and teenagers may experience eating disorders, substance use disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Approximately 6% of children between the ages of 6 and 17 in the United States have been diagnosed with severe anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, behavior issues, and trauma-related mental health problems.
The rate of anxiety and depression among children and teenagers has increased significantly. The prevalence of chronic sadness, helplessness, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors increased by approximately 40% among children and youth in the last ten years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recent research also shows that 1 in 5 children and adolescents worldwide experience eating disorders.
This statistic emphasizes the critical need for accessible mental health services for children. However, numerous parents continue to face challenges when seeking their children’s mental health assistance.
Parents’ Challenges Accessing Mental Health Services for Their Children
Many parents don’t know how to help kids with anxiety due to several challenges with accessing mental health care for children and teens, including:
- mental illness stigma
- limited access to mental health treatment
- a shortage of accessible child psychologist
- insurance troubles and affordability
- lack of mental health medications
The Stigma Around Mental Health
Many children and families in need never seek professional help for anxiety because they are afraid of being judged or discriminated against.
Families, particularly those from underrepresented groups, who require help for anxiety but are concerned about judgment find themselves in a challenging situation because society frequently misunderstands or marginalizes these difficulties.
Limited Access to Mental Health Services
The availability of mental care depends greatly on location. Families in remote or rural areas may have difficulty finding mental health treatments for children with anxiety and other mental health concerns.
They may have to travel long distances to meet child psychologists and other mental health experts. However, remote locations typically have limited public transportation, so going to appointments can be time-consuming and expensive. Additionally, some rural areas often have limited access to the Internet and technology, making access to telehealth difficult or impossible.
Besides, rural areas have a shortage of mental health professionals, making it difficult for children to get the proper care.
In addition to problems with travel and transportation and the limited availability of mental health care providers, many families in rural communities experience a lack of privacy and conservative values, making it challenging to seek services for children’s mental health concerns.
Furthermore, because most low-income families lack insurance, they can either afford mental health care or must pay for it out of pocket.
Finally, a lack of culturally competent mental health providers who can meet the particular needs of local communities might limit access to child mental health experts.
Long Waitlists
Parents, even those living in urban areas, are experiencing long waitlists for child psychologists’ help for anxiety due to a shortage in their availability. Families with children with anxiety and other mental health problems often have to wait for mental health support for over six months. A long waiting period can exacerbate a child’s condition and create challenges for the whole family.
Lack of Medications
The alarming shortage of prescription drugs in the US is exacerbating an already existing child mental health crisis. Due to COVID-19 exacerbating mental health issues, there has been an increase in demand for mental health medications.
For instance, the ADHD medication shortage continues to cause disruptions in daily lives and educational and professional pursuits for millions of children and adults across the country, adding to the mental health crisis.
How to Overcome These Challenges
While challenges to accessing child mental health care are real and severe, there are ways for parents to navigate them:
- First, to help kids with anxiety, we need to break the stigma around mental illness. Openly discuss your child’s issues with family, friends, and the community.
- Secondly, educate yourself on how to help a child with anxiety. Do your research. Learn about therapy options, your insurance coverage, and mental health benefits, such as sliding scale counseling.
- Take the time to research local mental health providers and consider telehealth options.
- Finally, don’t hesitate to advocate for your child’s needs and search for resources within your community.