The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has reported that the number of children diagnosed with mental health conditions has dramatically grown over the past two years.
The HHS study published in JAMA Pediatrics on March 14 investigated “recent trends in children’s health-related measures, including significant changes between 2019 and 2020 that might be attributed to 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," HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said, according to HHS.gov. "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 (of) this pandemic and thrive in the years to come."
Becerra has started a National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health following President Joe Biden's State of the Union Address earlier this month to discuss mental health challenges and crisis care systems. HHS also recently announced almost $35 million in funding opportunities to expand mental health services and suicide prevention programs.
"As the president made clear in the State of the Union, children’s mental health needs are a national priority," Health Resources and Services Administration Carole Johnson said, according to HHS.gov. "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."
In a study from 2019 to 2020, researchers found a 21% increase in the number of children who had behavior or conduct problems. Researchers also found that physical activity among children decreased by 18% during a span of four years (2016 to 2020).
