Children are presenting at routine doctor appointments with mental health concerns at a higher rate than a decade ago – particularly for anxiety.
A new study Approximately 1-8 million children in Massachusetts found that anxiety-related visits to primary care increased by 300 percent between 2014 and 2023.
Researchers looked at insurance claims for children ages 1 to 18 and found that visits with a mental health diagnosis increased from about 6 visits per 100 children to about 10 per 100.
While anxiety showed the sharpest increase, ADHD remained the most common condition across visits.
The researchers say the findings reflect a growing problem with families seeking access to mental health professionals, with many children receiving help instead of through regular doctor visits.
“Since almost all children have access to primary care, this creates a huge opportunity,” says the senior author.
She adds, “With the right training and support, primary care practitioners can help screen, diagnose and treat mental health conditions or connect families to care.”
The researchers say the findings highlight a growing need for mental health training and resources in pediatric primary care.
Source: JAMA Open Network
Author affiliation: Harvard Pilgrim Institute of Health, Boston University
Boston Medical Center UMass Chan School of Medicine, Brown University
