Access to Mental Health Services in the U.S.
We applaud bipartisan efforts made by Congress in 2022 to prioritize children’s mental health. UNICEF USA will continue advocating for further investment in children's mental well-being.
Mental well-being for children and youth: a UNICEF priority
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), poor mental health among children continues to be a substantial public health concern, particularly anxiety and symptoms related to depression among adolescents. Over 14 million children and adolescents in the U.S. have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, and over 2.5 million youth have severe major depression.
In 2022, Congress made significant investments in mental well-being for children and youth through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus appropriations bill: The omnibus appropriations bill included $5.27 billion, an increase of $803.2 million, for mental health research, treatment and prevention.
At the start of 2024, there was another step in the right direction to protect the well-being of children. The Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bill was passed, with $174 million approved for school based mental health services grants and mental health service professional demonstration grants.
We applaud the bipartisan efforts that were made by Congress to prioritize children’s mental health.
But children still need urgent support.
All countries, including the U.S., face a gap between mental health needs and access to quality services. UNICEF has found that mental health conditions threaten a child's ability to grow up healthy and happy. Addressing children's and adolescents' mental health and psychosocial needs requires a collective effort among government leaders, schools, caregivers and communities.
UNICEF USA will continue to work with Congress members in the 118th session and partner organizations to build upon this work and advocate for continued investments for mental health services in the U.S. and around the globe.
Every child has the right to grow up in a loving, nurturing and safe environment, with supportive relationships and access to quality mental health and psychosocial support.
When you speak up for children, legislators will listen. Visit the UNICEF USA Action Center to learn more.