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

• Towards Better Behavioral Health for Children, Youth and their Families
  Financing that Supports Knowledge
  Report, February 2008
• Reducing Maternal Depression and Its Impact on Young Children
  Toward a Responsive Early Childhood Policy Framework
  Brief, January 2008
• Financing Mental Health for Children, Youth and their Families
  Testimony, October 2007
• Child and Youth Emergency Mental Health Care
  A National Problem
  Brief, July 2007
• Facts About Trauma for Policymakers
  Children's Mental Health
  Fact Sheet, July 2007