According to recent evidence compiled by the World Health Organization, by the year 2020, childhood neuropsychiatric disorders will rise proportionately by over 50 percent, internationally, to become one of the five most common causes of childhood morbidity, mortality, and disability. There is sweeping evidence that the nation lacks a unified infrastructure to help these children and many are falling through the cracks. Too often, children who are not identified as having mental health problems and who do not receive services end up in the juvenile justice system. Another recently published report indicates that fifty to seventy-five percent of the children in juvenile justice institutions are youngsters of color who have never had access to mental health screening or treatment. Children and families are suffering because of missed opportunities for prevention and early identification, fragmented treatment services, and low priorities for the necessary resources.
Mental health is a critical component of children's learning and general health.
Fostering social and emotional health in children as a part of healthy child development must be a national priority. The Surgeon General's National Action Agenda for Children's Mental Health identifies eight goals and multiple action steps. Continue to develop, disseminate, and implement scientifically-proven prevention and treatment services in the field of children's mental health. Improve the assessment and recognition of mental health needs in children. Improve the infrastructure for children's mental health services including support for scientifically-proven interventions across professions.