Even as mental health disorders in adolescents become more prevalent, many parents still have difficulty navigating the mental health care system. A new report from the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health finds that more than a quarter of parents say their adolescent-aged child has seen a mental health specialist – with nearly 60% of those reporting a visit within the past year. Gary Freed, M.D., Mott Poll co-director and Mott pediatrician, discusses the importance of screening for mental health issues in children, warning signs to look for, and common barriers to mental health care.
