Mental and addictive disorders affect
millions of children and adolescents.

Approximately 20% of children and adolescents (or about 11 million youth ages 9 to17) have a diagnosable mental, emotional, or behavioral health disorder, from attention deficit disorder and depression to bipolar illness and schizophrenia.

From 9% to 13% of children and adolescents experience serious mental or emotional disturbances that substantially interfere with or limit their ability to function in their family, school, and community.

Between 5% and 9% of children (ages 9­17) have behavioral health disorders that severely interfere with their ability to function.

 

Prevalence of Serious Emotional Distubrance

 

Youth with any Diagnosable Disorder	20%
Youth with a Serious Emotional Disturbance & Substantial Functional Impairment	9-13%
Youth With Serious Emotional Disturbance & Extreme Functional Impairment	5-9%

Source: Meta-analysis, Mental Health, US 1996, SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services US Department of Health and Human Services

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For more information,
see Enhancing Youth Services by the Lewin Group
for the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems
202/393-6700

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