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 Mental Health

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In the United States, approximately 6 to 9 million children and adolescents have serious emotional disturbances.1 Research shows that one of five children and adolescents aged 9 to 17 years experience symptoms of mental health problems that cause some level of impairment in a given year.2

Expenditures for children’s mental health services were nearly $11.75 billion in 1998—a threefold increase from 1986.3,4 Left untreated, mental health disorders in children and adolescents lead to higher rates of suicide, violence, school dropout, family dysfunction, juvenile incarcerations, alcohol and other drug use, and unintentional injuries. Schools can play a vital role in creating safe, nurturing school environments and providing care to students with emotional or behavioral problems. According to the School Health Policy and Programs Study of 2000, three-fourths of schools have a part-time or full-time guidance counselor, two-thirds have a part-time or full-time psychologist, and slightly more than 40 percent have a part-time or full-time social worker.5

Data & Statistics

School Health Policies and Programs Study
SHPPS is a national survey periodically conducted to assess school health policies and programs at the state, district, school, and classroom levels, including those related to mental health.

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System
The YRBSS monitors behaviors that contribute markedly to the leading causes of death, disability, and social problems among youth and adults in the United States.

Science-based Strategies

Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT). The Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT) can help school districts, schools, and others conduct a clear, complete, and consistent analysis of health education curricula based on the National Health Education Standards and CDC’s Characteristics of Effective Health Education Curricula. The HECAT results can help schools select or develop appropriate and effective health education curricula and improve the delivery of health education to address mental health and other health education topics. The HECAT can be customized to meet local community needs and conform to the curriculum requirements of the state or school district.

Registries of Programs Effective in Reducing Youth Risk Behaviors. Various federal agencies have identified youth-related programs that they consider worthy of recommendation based on expert opinion or a review of design and research evidence. These programs focus on different health topics, risk behaviors, and settings including issues related to mental health.

References

  1. U. S. Public Health Service. Report of the Surgeon General’s Conference on Children’s Mental Health: A National Action Agenda. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2000.

     
  2. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, 1999.

     
  3. Sturm R, Ringel JS, Bao C, et al. National Estimates of Mental Health Utilization and Expenditures for Children in 1988. Blueprint for Change: Research on Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Vol. VI. Washington, DC, 2001.

     
  4. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services. Special Report: National Estimates of Mental Health Insurance Benefits, 2004.

     
  5. Kolbe LJ, Kann L, Brener ND. Overview and summary of findings: School Health Policies and Program Study 2000. Journal of School Health September 2001;71(7):253–259.

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Page last reviewed: June 26, 2006
Page last modified: August 27, 2008
August 28, 2008
Content source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Adolescent and School Health

Division of Adolescent and School Health
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Department of Health and Human Services