A third of Calif. kids needing mental health care don’t receive it

PALO ALTO, California — Thirty-seven percent of California children who need mental health treatment failed to receive it, according to the most recent data available on kidsdata.org.

Madera, Merced, Monterey, and Tulare counties had the lowest rates of all counties with available data, with nearly half of children who need mental health treatment failing to receive it in the previous 12 months.

Screening, early identification, and treatment are critical, as untreated mental illness can disrupt children’s development, academic achievement, and their ability to lead healthy, productive lives.

Policy options that could support mental health care services include ensuring that mental health funding is aligned with high-risk populations, improving coordinated, cross-sector strategies by integrating mental health services with other systems, promoting mental health training for pediatricians, and expanding the workforce of qualified mental health professionals serving youth.