New study shows children with mental health problems do not receive treatment

If you are a parent, your number one priority is to raise a healthy and happy child. But how often do you really think about your child's mental health? A new badysis, published in JAMA Pediatricssuggests that we should all pay more attention to children's mental health issues, as many of them do not receive adequate care – or even care at all – for their health problems.

For this study, the researchers interviewed more than 50,000 parents. The results showed that more than 16% of American children have a mental health problem. This figure alone is worrisome, but even more so when you learn that the number of children with mental health problems is steadily increasing. Even more shocking? Only about half of these children have actually benefited from some form of counseling or treatment.

Unsurprisingly, the badysis showed that socio-economic factors influence the likelihood that children will receive treatment for their mental health problem. For example, the state in which children lived was very important in the treatment of mental health. In states like North Carolina, only about a quarter of children with a mental health problem have been cared for. Specifically, 72% of children with a treatment-related mental health issue did not receive care. This is not a figure we should take lightly.

So what can we do to protect the mental health of our children? Start by familiarizing yourself with the common warning signs that something is wrong. According to Ellen Vora, MD, holistic psychiatrist and member of the mbg group, "The common signs and symptoms that indicate your child is struggling with his or her mental health include abdominal problems, headaches, and general malaise." difficult to diagnose in boys that girls, often girls are more inattentive than hyperactive. "Dr. Vora recommends consulting the book How to talk so kids listen and listen so kids can talk"You want to have a good open conversation with your kids to find out what's going on in their inner world."

She also believes in creating conditions that prevent them from having mental health problems. "It starts with nutrition, so make sure that they eat a lot of real foods, including healthy fats and lots of protein, meats, egg yolks and, of course, vegetables, Gluten and sugar. "And finally, she adds, let the children be children. "I am a strong supporter of the idea that children should be outdoors, that they are bored and imaginative, that they must go to bed early and to sleep." in a dark room, cold and silent, with a white noise and without technology. "

By knowing how to create a supportive environment for mental health and identify signs that something is wrong, we can help protect our children from mental health issues. After that, it is about developing broader policies that expand access to mental health care and ensure that children with mental health issues do not fall into the trap.