Up to 1 in 5 children suffer from mental disorder: CDC

[Wesley]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/16/us-usa-health-children-idUSBRE94F11N20130516

 

"Changes in estimated prevalence over time
might be associated with an actual change in prevalence, changes in case
definition, changes in the public perception of mental disorders, or
improvements in diagnosis, which might be associated with changes in
policies and access to health care," the study said.

Perou
told Reuters more research was needed to determine the specific causes
of mental disorders, and that greater awareness could lead to an uptick
in diagnoses. A host of environmental factors, including chemical
exposure and poverty, can also affect a child's mental health, she said.

Lead,
for example, is known to be "one of the biggest toxins to impact
behavior and learning," Perou said. Poor children are at a higher risk
for developing certain conditions, according to the study.

 

[Alan C.]

Lead,
for example, is known to be "one of the biggest toxins to impact
behavior and learning"

Kind of like religion.

[Wesley]

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/childinmind/2013/05/to_cdc_on_childrens_mental_hea_2.html

This article I think is a much better conclusion.

 

The time has come to recognize the overwhelming evidence regarding
the importance of early relationships in healthy emotional development.
The answer to the problem posed in the CDC report is in: invest in early
childhood -from newborn to three- to prevent mental health disorders
and promote mental health.

A huge part of this evidence comes from the CDC itself, with the ACES study,
showing long-term negative impact on both physical and emotional health
of a range of adverse childhood experiences.  An abundance of research
coming from the discipline of infant mental health provides a more
nuanced view of this issue. 

 When parents are
supported and valued by society, they are able to be fully present with
their children, in turn helping to grow healthy brains. Children who
grow up in an attuned caregiving environment are flexible, resilient,
and empathic.  In contrast, when children experience toxic stress, or
stress in the absence of a safe, secure caregiving relationship, the
parts of their brains responsible for emotional regulation do not
develop normally. What results are symptoms that are then labeled
"mental illness."

 

Though the author still proposes statist solutions, of course.