NR 606 Week 3 Discussion: Rates of Depression and Anxiety in Children
Identify at least two resources that are needed to address the mental health needs of
pediatric population.
Two resources needed to address the mental health needs of the pediatric population
include more funding to improve the services and access to mental health resources. These
resources need to be available to all, including those with lower income. We could integrate
mental health services into pediatric primary care settings and the schools. Yonek et al. (2020)
state, many adolescents feel comfortable with their primary care practitioner and would feel
comfortable talking to them and disclosing mental health issues and many of the parents would
too. Screening tools should be put in place at schools for early detection and interventions.
Children belonging to racial/ethnic minority groups, from low-income families, without health
insurance are the least likely to ever receive treatment (Yonek et al., 2020). Untreated or
undertreated mental health needs during childhood and adolescence are associated with more
severe psychosocial impairment during adulthood as well as substance use disorders, physical
comorbidities, increased risk of suicide, and greater use of healthcare services throughout the
life course (Yonek et al., 2020).
Another resource needed to improve the mental health needs of the pediatric population
is investing in providers and therapists. There is a shortage of pediatric mental health providers
and child therapists. This shortage adds to the delay in treatment, adding stress to the families
and the providers. The AACAP (2024) states the gap between demand for services and the
availability to meet this need is now staggering; with only 14 child and adolescent psychiatrist
per 100,000 children in the country. The United States is experiencing a behavioral health
workforce shortage, with less than a quarter of the workforce required to meet needs, and wide
disparities between urban and rural settings (AACAP, 2024).
Identify at least two resources that are needed to address the mental health needs of
pediatric population.
Two resources needed to address the mental health needs of the pediatric population
include more funding to improve the services and access to mental health resources. These
resources need to be available to all, including those with lower income. We could integrate
mental health services into pediatric primary care settings and the schools. Yonek et al. (2020)
state, many adolescents feel comfortable with their primary care practitioner and would feel
comfortable talking to them and disclosing mental health issues and many of the parents would
too. Screening tools should be put in place at schools for early detection and interventions.
Children belonging to racial/ethnic minority groups, from low-income families, without health
insurance are the least likely to ever receive treatment (Yonek et al., 2020). Untreated or
undertreated mental health needs during childhood and adolescence are associated with more
severe psychosocial impairment during adulthood as well as substance use disorders, physical
comorbidities, increased risk of suicide, and greater use of healthcare services throughout the
life course (Yonek et al., 2020).
Another resource needed to improve the mental health needs of the pediatric population
is investing in providers and therapists. There is a shortage of pediatric mental health providers
and child therapists. This shortage adds to the delay in treatment, adding stress to the families
and the providers. The AACAP (2024) states the gap between demand for services and the
availability to meet this need is now staggering; with only 14 child and adolescent psychiatrist
per 100,000 children in the country. The United States is experiencing a behavioral health
workforce shortage, with less than a quarter of the workforce required to meet needs, and wide
disparities between urban and rural settings (AACAP, 2024).
