A serious decline and an unmet need in terms of children’s mental health is creating a situation that has been brewing and is now at a crisis point.

In the USA, there is growing worry about the mental health of children, and new data point to a possible decline. This tendency can be attributed to trauma brought on by child abuse or the death of a family member, ongoing worry about the flu and erratic schedules, and a severe lack of support for children’s mental health.

Untreated mental health issues can interfere with a child’s ability to study, socialize, have self-esteem, and develop in other critical ways, which can have long-term effects. Youth mental health issues frequently coexist with other physical and behavioral hazards, such as a higher chance of using drugs, experiencing violence, and engaging in sexual behaviors that raise the risk of contracting HIV, STDs, and unwanted pregnancy.

Unfortunately, the USA’s present surveillance methods are not thorough, making it challenging to keep track of children’s mental health problems. This drop has also been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, with young people's despair and anxiety double what they were before the pandemic.

When I came across a record of a young child who was apparently in need of serious mental and physical healthcare, I called the school social worker, who refused to admit her responsibility toward the child. “Call the school nurse,” she said. I reminded her of her ethical responsibility for the child. I asked if she was licensed, and she was, but she refused to provide her license number.

Ultimately, the case was sent to the school nurse, who would follow up. How many schools have social workers who refuse to help? How many schools these days have school nurses? The position of school nurse has been eliminated in many schools, or nurses have been given responsibility for multiple schools, not one. So, often, there’s no nurse present.

There are a number of efforts that have been suggested to address the deteriorating mental health of youngsters in the USA. Proposals include setting up a White House Children’s Office, forming a national task force or council on school mental health, and enhancing instruction, support, and services.

The World Health Organization’s Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2020 outlines the activities that must be taken to narrow the gap in serving the needs of children and adolescents who experience mental health disorders. Making sure that kids have access to sufficient mental health resources and support networks is crucial.

By offering emotional support, encouraging open communication, and supporting healthy coping methods, parents, caregivers, and educators can also play a significant role in establishing positive mental health. Addressing the underlying causes of mental health issues, such as child abuse, trauma, and traumatic experiences during childhood, might avoid long-term effects.

As a result, the deteriorating mental health of children in the USA is a complicated problem that necessitates a multipronged response. There is no one simple program or one organizational effort that will create healthier children in a world spinning in many directions.

We must work to enhance the mental health of kids and teenagers by prioritizing mental health services and support, developing national initiatives, addressing fundamental problems, and encouraging good mental health behaviors.

When kids are going to school and parents are wondering if they’ll be alive to come home, it does not bode well for mental security, and it stirs fear that can cripple the life that could be theirs if not for the violence and uncertainty they face along with everyone else. These are issues we can’t avoid or put off because the future is now, not tomorrow.