Mental & Behavioral Health

Chair: Diane Dooley, MD

Approximately one out of every five children in America have a diagnosable mental health disorder. Mental health problems in young people are associated with outcomes such as suicide, substance use, inability to live independently, justice involvement, school dropout, economic hardship, and physical health problems. Promoting mental health care and early intervention will likely reduce overall health care costs. It is imperative that we improve efforts around early recognition of mental health needs among children and adolescents and foster greater awareness of early warning signs.