The U.S. Surgeon General, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children’s Hospital Association all proclaimed a national emergency in juvenile mental health towards the end of last year. However, the majority of American families find it difficult to receive care due to the rising demand for mental health services, a shortage of skilled mental health providers, the high cost of care, and the length of time it takes to find a clinician.
Daybreak Health recently commissioned a study titled “The State of Adolescent Mental Health & Our Schools” that included a poll of parents and educators on a number of topics pertaining to the youth mental health problem and schools. It was discovered, among other things, that most parents (84%) and teachers (78%) think that schools need to play a stronger role in providing assistance for young people’s mental health—even more than families, clergy, coaches, or pediatricians—to help resolve this situation. According to Alex Alvarado, CEO of Daybreak Health, “when students return to school, the majority of parents are looking to schools to assist give mental health care to their children—because they can’t get it or afford it on their own.” “Our schools are crucial to solving the most important issue of our age, and they are up to the challenge.”
Key insights from the 2022 youth mental health & our schools report by daybreak health.
- The status of young people’s mental health is grave.
- It is really difficult to get medical attention.
- Schools are in the field and want to take more action.
- Schools are reorienting their focus to better meet the requirements of juvenile mental health