Addenda
public policy memo To: Shanti Mathew From: Catherine S Weislogel Date: 04 Dec 2019 RE: Youth Mental Health Care Access in Georgia Problem Summary While at least 1 in 7 children and adolescents have one or more treatable mental disorders in the U.S., less than half are receiving adequate treatment. There are barriers to access—particularly for youth of color, LGBTQ youth, youth in poverty and/or rural areas—and lack of sufficient care. According to Voices for Georgia’s Children, in the state of Georgia only 40% of children who need behavioral health services actually receive them. Mental health affects all aspects of a person’s life, this is especially acute during such a critical development period for young people. School performance and socialization at this stage play important roles in determining the further success of an individual later in life—higher education opportunities, career, and formation of bonds and community. Lack of care can contribute to compounded trauma and issues over time, affecting lifelong health for individuals, families, and communities, thereby increasing the cost and usage of health care. The debt-burden on society becomes immense over time as a large percentage of the youth population remains underserved and can lead to higher rates of poverty. Background & Context There are several factors contributing to this imbalance in youth mental health care. The first is that there simply are not enough mental health care providers–such as counselors, psychiatrists, and psychologists–specializing in child or adolescent care to meet the
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