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Truth That Hurts......

Longview Couple Arrested For Abuse

Statistics/Findings*

• 1 in 5 U.S. children and adolescents have some form of mental health issue (American Academy of Pediatrics)
• 70% of adolescents with mental health problems do not receive care (Journal of Adolescent Health, volume 38)
• Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for youth ages 15-24 (National Institute of Mental Health report)
• Among young people aged 10-14 years old, suicide rates have doubled in the last two decades (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
• More than half of federal and state prison inmates have a diagnosable mental health problem (U.S. Department of Justice)
• Children with mental health issues make $10,400 less per year as adults (Journal of Social Science and Medicine)
• 4 in 10 currently unemployed parents say they have seen behavioral changes in their children due to their unemployment (NY Times/CBS Poll)
• Behavioral and emotional problems decreased among 31 percent of youth with mental health issues after 6 months of receiving mental health care (SAMHSA report)
• Within one year of entering a mental health program, youth attending school regularly increased from 75% to 81%, and those receiving passing grades increased from 55% to 66% (SAMHSA report)
• Number of students involved in violent incidents decreased by 15% within three years of instating mental health programs (SAMHSA report)
• Sixteen percent of students report lower depression, 21% lower anxiety, and 38% have better behavior after 1 year (SAMHSA report)
• State mental health programs were cut nationally by 4 percent in 2009, 5 percent in 2010, and are estimated to be cut by more than 8% in 2011 (Stateline.org July 19 2010)
• Two thirds of school districts reported that the need for mental health services had increased since the previous year, and one third reported that funding for mental health services had decreased in that time (Foster et al., 2005).

* These facts can be found on Rep. Grace Napolitano’s webpage.

For more information:

Jessica Eagle, M.Ed., NCC
Legislative Representative, ACA
800.347.6647 x202
jeagle@counseling.org
www.counseling.org

Contact Name

Jessica Eagle M.Ed, NCC

Contact Title

Legislative Representative

Contact Email

jeagle@counseling.org

Contact Phone

(800) 347-6647

Legislative Bill For Mental Health in Schools