Children’s Mental Health

A major determinant of outcomes for children, youth, and their families is their mental health. Low-income children, youth, and their families are disproportionately affected by mental health challenges, impairing the ability of children and youth to succeed in school and placing them at risk of involvement with child welfare and juvenile justice agencies.

The evidence base for effective treatment is growing. Many successful strategies occur in schools and other settings where children and youth spend most of their time. They also involve integrated approaches across various child-serving sectors. Family-focused prevention and early intervention can help the youngest children. Additionally, research demonstrates the effectiveness of strategies that engage families.

However, public policy and funding practices are often out of sync with emerging knowledge. NCCP’s Unclaimed Children Revisited Project works to improve the policy context for children’s mental health.

Publications

• Promoting Social-emotional Wellbeing in Early Intervention Services
  A Fifty-state View
  Report, September 2009
• Social-emotional Development in Early Childhood
  What Every Policymaker Should Know
  Brief, August 2009
• Adolescent Mental Health in the United States
  Facts for Policymakers
  Fact Sheet, June 2009
• Unclaimed Children Revisited
  The Status of Children's Mental Health Policy in the United States
  Report, November 2008
• Towards Better Behavioral Health for Children, Youth and their Families
  Financing that Supports Knowledge
  Report, February 2008