Commentary: Mental health resources for children are sorely needed
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A mental health issue affects more than 150,000 children living in Orange County, according to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC).
A number like this is staggering, and chances are you know someone who is suffering.
Orange County lacks mental health services for children. Several barriers keep children from participating in or receiving interventions that can provide a lasting impact.
At this time, there is only one inpatient bed for every 22,000 children suffering from a debilitating mental health issue, according to CHOC.
Even more disturbing, according to the hospital, there are no beds for children under the age of 12. Children who are in need of hospitalization have to spend days in the emergency room.
Mental health services dedicated to children are critically needed in Orange County. The county doesn’t have the number of psychiatrists, psychologists and licensed social workers it needs.
Progress is needed in response to treatment for children with mental health issues. According to the National Institute of Health, the consequences of not having enough treatment facilities are severe.
Children living with a mental health condition have an increased risk of having a major medical condition. Many who have died by suicide were suffering from a mental health condition.
According to the Department of Education, 37% of special education students living with a mental health condition drop out of school.
As a mother and a full-time USC graduate student studying social work, these facts are daunting.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), half of children with symptoms of mental health disorders have conditions that cause significant impairment in their daily lives.
In Orange County, 20% of youth reported needing mental health help, while less than a third actually receive any help at all. How different would their lives be if these children all received the appropriate, timely care they deserve?
What can you do? Talk to your local Orange County representatives and tell them the importance of children having ready access to mental health care.
Irvine resident PATRICIA BEVAN is earning a master’s in social work at USC.