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Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.1 Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, poor mental health and mental illness are not the same. A person can experience poor mental health and not be diagnosed with a mental illness. Likewise, a person diagnosed with a mental illness can experience periods of physical, mental, and social well-being. Why is mental health important for overall health?Mental and physical health are equally important components of overall health. For example, depression increases the risk for many types of physical health problems, particularly long-lasting conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Similarly, the presence of chronic conditions can increase the risk for mental illness.2 Can your mental health change over time?Yes, it’s important to remember that a person’s mental health can change over time, depending on many factors. When the demands placed on a person exceed their resources and coping abilities, their mental health could be impacted. For example, if someone is working long hours, caring for a relative, or experiencing economic hardship, they may experience poor mental health. How common are mental illnesses?Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States.
What causes mental illness?There is no single cause for mental illness. A number of factors can contribute to risk for mental illness, such as
Mental health is an important part of children’s overall health and well-being. Mental health includes children’s mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being. It affects how children think, feel, and act. It also plays a role in how children handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental disorders among children are described as serious changes in the way children typically learn, behave, or handle their emotions, causing distress and problems getting through the day.1 Among the more common mental disorders that can be diagnosed in childhood are attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and behavior disorders. There are different ways to assess mental health and mental disorders in children. CDC uses surveys, like the National Survey of Children’s Health, to describe the presence of positive indicators of children’s mental health and to understand the number of children with diagnosed mental disorders and whether they received treatment. In this type of survey, parents report on indicators of positive mental health for their child and report any diagnoses their child has received from a healthcare provider. The information on this page provides data about indicators of positive mental health in children and mental health disorders that are most common in children. Facts about mental health in U.S. childrenNational data on positive mental health indicators that describe mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being for children are limited. Based on the data we do have:
Facts about mental disorders in U.S. children
Learn more about high-risk substance use among youth. Learn more about suicide.
Note: The estimates reported on this page are based on parent report, using nationally representative surveys. This method has several limitations. It is not known to what extent children receive these diagnoses accurately. Estimates based on parent-reported diagnoses may match those based on medical records,7 but some children may also have mental disorders that have not been diagnosed, or receive diagnoses that may not be the best fit for their symptoms. Limited information on measuring children’s mental health nationally is available2. Read more about children’s mental health from a community study. Access to mental health treatmentEarly diagnosis and appropriate services for children and their families can make a difference in the lives of children with mental disorders.7 Access to providers who can offer services, including screening, referrals, and treatment, varies by location. CDC is working to learn more about access to behavioral health services and supports for children and their families. View information by state describing the rates of different types of providers who can offer behavioral health services providers by county. Read a recent report describing shortages of services, barriers to treatment, and how integration of behavioral health care with pediatric primary care could address the issues. Read a policy brief on potential ways to increase access to mental health services for children in rural areas What is It and Why is It Important? Data sources for mental health and related conditionsThere are many different datasets which include information on children’s mental health and related conditions for children living in the United States. Healthy People 2030 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) For previous versions of this survey, see also: National Survey of the Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD and Tourette Syndrome (NS-DATA) National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) School Associated Violent Death Study (SAVD) School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) References
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