Mental health disorders have increasingly gained attention as research in psychology has expanded over the years. However, despite the development of new medications and various forms of psychological treatments, the rate at which adolescents and children receive treatment for mental disorders remains low and unequal across different demographics. A meta-analysis study published in JAMA Network Open explores this lack of treatment and investigates the relationship between social backgrounds and treatment rates among children and adolescents.
Findings
A meta-analysis study combines several studies conducted by different scientists to research a specific topic. In this case, 40 publications, consisting of approximately 300,000 participants, examined the treatment rates for mental disorders among children and adolescents, focusing on depression, anxiety disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Participants varied in gender, age, race, and location, and these articles were published between 1988 and 2021.
According to the study, the overall treatment rate for any mental health disorder among children and adolescents in the Americas was only 40%. When considering specific disorders, the treatment rates varied: depressive disorder 40%, anxiety disorder 27%, and ADHD 56% in the Americas. However, these statistics decreased when analyzing treatment rates in other parts of the world.
The study found that the overall treatment rate for any mental health disorder among children and adolescents in Europe was 37%, a slight decrease from the rate in the Americas. In Europe, the treatment rate for ADHD was a remarkable 74%, but for depressive disorder, it was only 28%.
In the Western Pacific region (including countries such as China, Vietnam, Australia, etc.), the overall treatment rate for mental health disorders was only 6%.
Discussion
Over the years, more disparities within the US healthcare system have emerged, possibly due to the lack of affordable healthcare. Disparities can lead to a decline in the treatment rates for mental health disorders (and other illnesses). However, there are multiple factors responsible for the low treatment rates for mental health disorders among children and adolescents, which are not only present in the US but in other countries as well.
- Why do you think the treatment rates for mental health disorders in children and adolescents are low? What steps would you recommend to increase the rate?
- What could be possible factors contributing to differing treatment rates in different parts of the world?”
Source: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2810825