One in 10 Children Has Mental Illness; State-by-State Figures; Are Candidates Addressing the Facts?

Posted on October 12, 2010

October 12, 2010  Arlington, Va.— One in 10 children has a mental health condition that causes significant impairment and more than half of all lifetime cases begin by age 14, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reported today, but only one-third get the help they need.

As part of an Election 2010 series, NAMI released state by state estimates of the number of children and adolescents ages 10-17, reminding editors, reporters, bloggers and others to ask candidates for public office to address the facts about mental illness in their states and communities.

See State Data Below

• One in 10 children has a serious mental health condition, but only one-third receive treatment.
• Half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14 and three-quarters begin by age 24.
• On average, eight to 10 years pass from when symptoms of mental illness begin to when they get treatment.
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 15-24.

During the nation's recession, mental health services for children and adolescents have faced devastating state budget cuts. Congress has some responsibility to help strengthen state mental health care systems. Federal mental health block grants have been reduced or frozen over the past 10 years.

Estimate of children with serious mental health conditions by state

10 percent of children aged 10-17

Source: US Public Health Service, Report of the Surgeon General's Conference on Children's Mental  Health: A National Action Agenda. Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services, 2000. And US Census Bureau, 2008 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B01001.

Previous NAMI Election Alerts

• State Grades: 21 Ds, 6 Fs
• State Suicide Rates
• Top 10 States; Mental Health Cuts
• Number of People w/ Mental Illness in Each State; Percent Served by SMHA
• Disability Income and State Housing Costs

About NAMI

NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. NAMI has over 1100 state and local affiliates that engage in research, education, support and advocacy. NAMI is a non-partisan, non-profit organization and does not endorse political candidates.

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