JAMA Netw Open

Study finds treatment rates low for mental disorders among children

October 20, 2023

Mental disorders among children and adolescents have increased over the past several decades and are a global health concern. A recent study in JAMA Network Open suggests that, in general, the treatment rates for mental disorders in children and adolescents were low, especially for depression and anxiety. Targeted intervention policies are needed to improve treatment rates; telemedicine, for example, has been found to be effective in reducing treatment barriers.

• A total of 40 studies were included in the meta-analysis, comprising 310,584 children and adolescents (boys accounted for 39% of participants, although sex was not reported in 10 studies).
• The pooled treatment rate was 38% for any mental disorder, 36% for depressive disorders, 31% for anxiety disorders, 58% for ADHD, and 49% for behavior disorders. Age, income level, and region were significantly associated with the combined treatment rates of mental disorders in children and adolescents.
• The treatment rate for depressive disorders was higher among adolescents than children (36% vs. 11%), whereas the treatment rate for anxiety disorders was higher among children than adolescents (64% vs. 20%).
• The treatment rate for any mental disorder in lower-middle income countries was 6%, in upper-middle income countries was 24%, and in high-income countries was 43%.
• For depressive disorders, treatment rates were higher in the Americas (40%) than in Europe (28%) and the Western Pacific region (6%).

Source:

Wang S. (2023, October 2). JAMA Netw Open. Treatment Rates for Mental Disorders Among Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37851443/