Source: CNN
According to a new study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, more than half of children ages 6 to 18 living with mental health conditions do not get the proper care they need.
The study took into account data from the National Survey of Children’s Health from 2016, which involved parents of more than 46 million children in the U.S. The survey revealed that at least 7.7 million children suffered from depression, anxiety, or another health condition, and half of them received treatment.
Experts in the field say that these numbers are not surprising, as there are many complications that present themselves for families and children seeking mental health services.
The biggest obstacles for families are affordability and stigmas attached to mental health problems. In some communities, talking about mental health problems is still heavily stigmatized and attached to uncomfortable conversations. In other cases, accessing mental health services is impossible for those who cannot afford it.
Additionally, experts have identified that there are not enough psychiatrists to serve the population. For every 100,000 children, for example, there are only 17 licensed psychiatrists, as reported by CNN.
Read Full Story: CNN