children and youth from low-income[7] households are at increased risk for mental health problems.
21% of low-income children and youth ages 6 through 17 have mental health problems.[8]
57% of these low-income children and youth come from households with incomes at or below the federal poverty level.[9]
a greater proportion of children and youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems have mental health problems than children and youth in the general population.
50% of children and youth in the child welfare system have mental health problems.[10]
67% to 70% of youth in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosable mental health disorder.[11]
mental health system inadequate to meet needs of children and youth
most children and youth with mental health problems do not receive needed services.
75% to 80% of children and youth in need of mental health services do not receive them.[12]
mental health services and supports vary depending on the state in which a child or youth with mental health needs lives.
there is a 30% difference between the states with the highest and lowest unmet need for mental health services (51% to 81%).[13]
HM2VikingRN, RN
4,700 Posts
http://nccp.org/pub_ucr06b.html