A new study from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has revealed a significant increase in the number of children diagnosed with anxiety or depression in recent years.
Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression have increased among children over the last five years, particularly amid the pandemic, according to a study from HHS published by JAMA Pediatrics.
The study, conducted by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), used data from the National Survey of Children’s Health between 2016-2020 to examine recent health trends in children ages three to 17 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Through their research, they found a significant increase in mental health conditions among children as well as concerning changes in the wellbeing of children and families since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Key findings include:
Children’s health conditions and behaviors
- There was a significant increase in the number of children diagnosed with anxiety (29 percent) and depression (27 percent) between 2016 and 2020.
- From 2019 to 2020, there was a 21 percent increase in children with behavior or conduct problems.
Children’s health care access and utilization
- From 2019 to 2020, children’s preventive medical care visits decreased by nine percent and the proportion with unmet health care needs grew by 32 percent.
- Children’s physical activity decreased by 18 percent between 2016 and 2020.
Family wellbeing
- From 2019 to 2020, the number of parents who reported difficulty coping with parenting demands also increased significantly.
- The proportion of young children whose parents quit, declined, or changed jobs due to childcare challenges increased by 34 percent.
"The pandemic has been particularly difficult on our children, who have been as scared and confused as the rest of us were," said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra in a statement. "Today’s study confirms what all too many of us know and feel in our daily lives: COVID-19 was an exceptional burden on the mental well-being of our nation’s families, including kids. We will do everything we can to help provide our youngest ones with the resources they need to overcome the effects this pandemic and thrive in the years to come."
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The published findings come shortly after HHS announced last week the availability of $25 million, through the HRSA, to expand primary care, including mental health services, in schools. The funding initiative marks the first time that the government will require funding recipients to add or expand mental health services in their schools. The funding builds on the $30 million the HRSA has awarded to improve access to health center services in schools since September 2021.
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“At the Health Resources and Services Administration, we are using all available levers to expand access to mental health care,” said HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson in the announcement. “We want to ensure that there is no wrong door to young people finding help. That’s why we are investing in expanding mental health care in schools to help kids get the support they need. We look forward to a robust applicant pool in response to this exciting funding announcement.”