For Immediate Release: May 11, 2005
Contact: Chris Burley, Bazelon Center, (202) 467-5730 x 133

Congressional Briefings Call for Early Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Children’s Mental Disorders

The Bazelon Center's Position Statement on Mental Health Screening (5/16/05) The Campaign for Mental Health Reform's Briefing Materials on Children's Mental Health The Bazelon Center's Children's Mental Health Issues Page

Washington, D.C.—A school superintendent whose daughter once attempted suicide, a college student, a social worker, a board-certified child psychiatrist, and a member of President Bush’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health warned today that children’s lives will be lost without programs for early identification, evaluation and treatment of mental disorders.

In briefings for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the Campaign for Mental Health Reform (CMHR) addressed misinformation and distortions surrounding a critical need identified by the Surgeon General and the President’s Commission—as well as by the medical and public health communities.

“Children’s mental health is a complex topic,” said Cynthia Wainscott, spokeswoman for the Campaign for Mental Health Reform and Chair of the National Mental Health Association's Board of Directors. “Unfortunately, it’s also vulnerable to misinformation, misrepresentation and political rhetoric. The fact is that early identification, comprehensive evaluation, and if necessary, treatment of mental health problems in children can save lives.”

Only 20% of children with mental disorders are identified and receive mental health services, leading to school failure, substance abuse, involvement with the juvenile justice system, and suicide.

"Early diagnosis is the key to living a life of wellness for many young people with mental disorders," said Lydia Lewis, President of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. "For parents, early identification and comprehensive evaluations enable them to make informed decisions. And for our kids, early and effective treatment will positively impact their performance in school, provide for a more satisfying and productive life, and most importantly, help reduce the high mortality rate associated with these illnesses."

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT), Mike DeWine (R-OH), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) sponsored the briefing in the Senate. In the House, the briefing was held in coordination with Representatives Tim Murphy (R-PA) and Grace Napolitano (D-CA), co-chairs of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus.

Fact sheets, lists of participants and presentations from the briefings are available on-line at www.mhreform.org/kids.

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The Campaign for Mental Health Reform is a national partnership of organizations representing millions of people with mental or emotional disorders, their families, service providers, administrators, and other advocates. It seeks to make access, recovery, and quality in mental health services the hallmarks of our nation’s mental health system.

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is a national advocate for the rights of people with mental disabilities and a founding partner in the Campaign for Mental Health Reform.