Approximately one in five adolescents has a diagnosable mental health disorder,
making these disorders one of the leading causes of disability among this age
group.2,3
However, studies have found that most children and adolescents with
mental health disorders do not seek out or receive the services that they need.
Estimates suggest that between 60 and 90 percent of adolescents with mental
health disorders fail to receive treatment.
1
Multiple challenges exist in trying to
connect adolescents with mental health disorders to the services and treatments
that can help them attain a better quality of life. This Adolescent Health Highlight
describes barriers to treating adolescent mental health disorders; discusses the
connection between insurance status and access to mental health treatment;
and explains funding for adolescent mental health services.