NAMI Joins “Sound The Alarm For Kids” Initiative to Address the Mental Health Emergency in Children and Teens

Nov 2, 2021

Today, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) joins “Sound the Alarm for Kids” as a national partner committed to raising awareness about the mental health emergency impacting children and teens. Young people are experiencing increased levels of anxiety and depression; the ongoing uptick in ER admissions for children and teens experiencing a mental health emergency — including self-harm, suicide ideation and suspected attempts — is a cause for concern. Our youth need mental health support and resources now more than ever.

“You can't have a conversation about the health and well-being of children and teens without being mindful of the mental health effects of the pandemic as well,” said Dr. Christine Crawford, associate medical director of NAMI. “We urge Congress to take action this year and invest in mental health care of kids to increase access to services and resources.”

The national facts and statistics are compelling.

• Before the pandemic, 1 in 5 children — anyone under age 18 — experienced a mental health condition on an annual basis.
• From 2007 to 2018, there was a 60% increase in the rate of suicide among 10- to 24-year-olds, making it the second leading cause of death for this age group.
• More than half of adults (53%) with children in their household say they are concerned about the mental state of their children.

“The pandemic is the first time most children and teens have experienced major trauma, social isolation and grief which can significantly impact their emotional development,” added Dr. Crawford. “We need immediate action to address this emergency situation and make every effort to improve access to critical behavioral and mental health resources at the local, state and federal levels.”

NAMI is proud to join other national partners to support the efforts of the Children’s Hospital Association, American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry to sound the alarm on the national mental health emergency for children, teens, and their families.

Collectively, we call on Congress to take immediate action by funding emergency, preventative, wraparound and treatment services to stem this escalating crisis.