U.S. is spending big on child mental health, addiction treatment, study says

"Foster's experience aligns with a well-known and disturbing trend in American health care: more children are having mental health problems. In 2023, 40% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and 20% had seriously considered attempting suicide, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study. Studies also found that more young people are going to emergency rooms for care an expensive option that can cost thousands of dollars."

"In a new study published Monday, she and a team of researchers found that the U.S. spent $42 billion on behavioral health care for youth in 2022 about 40% of all health care spending on infants, children and teens. That share of spending doubled between 2011 and 2022, the study found. Behavioral health is no longer a niche part of pediatrics, said Foster, using the term for children's health care. It's accounting for nearly half of child health spending."

"It also measured the financial toll on parents with children who are grappling with mental health conditions or addiction. Out-of-pocket spending for that care increased at more than twice the rate of other care, the study found. Having at least one child who needed behavioral health treatment was linked with high and extreme financial burden, according to the study. For families already stretched thin, this adds up really quickly, Foster said."

The U.S. spent $42 billion on behavioral health care for youth in 2022, about 40% of all health care spending on infants, children and teens. That share of spending doubled between 2011 and 2022. In 2023, 40% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and 20% had seriously considered attempting suicide, according to CDC data. More young people are going to emergency rooms for behavioral health crises, an expensive option that can cost thousands. Out-of-pocket spending for behavioral care increased at more than twice the rate of other care. Having at least one child who needed behavioral health treatment was linked with high and extreme financial burden for families.

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