New HHS Study Shows Significant Increases in Children Diagnosed with Mental Health Conditions from 2016 to 2020

There’s no question that parents’ mental health is an excellent predictor of their children’s mental health; children of parents suffering from anxiety and/or depression are far more likely to be diagnosed with the same conditions. Unfortunately, most of the research done on parental mental-health influences has focused exclusively or primarily on mothers. As a result, the mental-health needs of fathers are being ignored (according to a recent HHS study, about 60% of adult men report a “high” or “moderate” level of depressive symptoms, yet only 8% of men have been diagnosed with anxiety or depression). That, in turn, severely hampers clinicians’ ability to effectively diagnose—and treat—the father-side factors that may be contributing to a young patient’s mental health issues.

The following article was provided to Talking About Men’s Health by the HHS and Health Resources and Services Administration:

Findings Show Number of Children Diagnosed with Anxiety or Depression Grew by Nearly 30%,
Underscoring Importance of Administration’s Efforts to Strengthen Mental Health.

Findings Show Number of Children Diagnosed with Anxiety or Depression Grew by Nearly 30%, Underscoring Importance of Administration’s Efforts to Strengthen Mental Health.

A new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) study published in the American Medical Association’s journal JAMA Pediatrics reports significant increases in the number of children diagnosed with mental health conditions. The study, conducted by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), finds that between 2016 and 2020, the number of children ages 3-17 years diagnosed with anxiety grew by 29 percent and those with depression by 27 percent. The findings also suggest concerning changes in child and family well-being after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic has been particularly difficult on our children, who have been as scared and confused as the rest of us were,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Today’s study confirms what all too many of us know and feel in our daily lives: COVID-19 was an exceptional burden on the mental well-being of our nation’s families, including kids. We will do everything we can to help provide our youngest ones with the resources they need to overcome the effects this pandemic and thrive in the years to come.”

Following President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address on March 1, 2022, in which the President laid out a national strategy to tackle the nation’s mental health crisis as part of his Unity Agenda, Secretary Becerra kicked off a National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health in an effort to hear directly from Americans across the country about the mental health challenges they’re facing, and engage with local leaders to strengthen the mental health and crisis care systems in our communities.

As the Administration implements a whole-of-government strategy to transform mental health services for all Americans, the Secretary will ensure all children and families have easy, affordable, and equitable access to the care, support, and services they need. Just last week, HHS announced nearly $35 million in funding opportunities to strengthen and expand community mental health services and suicide prevention programs for America’s children and young adults.

“As the President made clear in the State of the Union, children’s mental health needs are a national priority,” said HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson. “Today’s findings reinforce the President’s call for action to support children and their families’ mental health and well-being. At the Health Resources and Services Administration, we are answering his call by focusing on expanding pediatric mental health services, training more mental health care providers, and making mental health a key part of primary care to ensure that children get the quality care they need and deserve.”

The study, published today in JAMA Pediatrics, analyzes parent-reported data from the HRSA-directed National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) on 36 separate health-related measures over time, among them preventive health checkups, mental health diagnoses, physical activity, and caregiver well-being.

“Our research highlights a critical need to support both children and their caregivers to improve families’ mental and emotional well-being,” said Michael Warren, MD, Associate Administrator of HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau and co-author on the study. “This includes ensuring access to timely health care services and addressing social determinants of health to support children and families’ overall well-being.”

From 2019 to 2020, researchers found a 21 percent increase in children with behavior or conduct problems. The proportion of children with preventive medical care visits dropped by 9 percent and the proportion with unmet health care needs grew by 32 percent. Children’s physical activity decreased by 18 percent between 2016 and 2020.

The number of parents who reported difficulty coping with parenting demands also increased significantly from 2019 to 2020. The proportion of young children whose parents quit, declined, or changed jobs due to child care challenges increased by 34 percent.

HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau funds and directs the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), which is a household survey conducted annually by the U.S. Census Bureau. The NSCH collects data from parents on the health and well-being of children ages 0-17 years in the United States and is the largest national and state-level annual survey of the health and health care needs of children, their families, and their communities.

HRSA is investing in critical strategies to support children’s mental health and well-being through expanding access to mental health services and growing the mental health workforce. HRSA’s work includes:

Expanding access to pediatric mental health care: HRSA funds the Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program to support primary care providers in diagnosing, treating, and referring children and youth with mental health conditions to services.
Training child psychiatrists: HRSA funds residency training of child psychiatrists in the nation’s freestanding children’s teaching hospitals and supports the education and training of child psychiatrists and other clinicians to support the mental health needs of children.
Developing guidelines on youth preventive care, including mental health care: Through the Bright Futures Program, HRSA releases national guidelines to support children receiving high quality, efficient, and comprehensive pediatric care. Bright Futures’ recommended preventive services are covered without cost-sharing by most health plans. In 2022, Bright Futures updates include adding universal screening for suicide risk to the current depression screening category for individuals ages 12 to 21, and new guidance for behavioral, social and emotional screening.
Providing health care, including mental health care, to millions: Millions of people across the country receive health care services – and increasingly mental health care services – at HRSA-funded community health centers located in underserved communities across the country.
Providing in-home supports to parents and children: Through the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, HRSA supports families during pregnancy and the early childhood years, by linking health services, social services, and child development resources to support family well-being.
Investing in training and growing the mental health workforce: HRSA funds training, scholarships and loan repayment programs, and other programs to recruit, train, and place mental health professionals in the community, including supporting children’s mental health.