The Cost of Treating Our Kids’ Mental Health Is Rapidly Rising

Mental health diagnoses in children and teens are on the rise and so are treatment costs, according to a new study.

Researchers say medical expenses related to the care of a diagnosed child jumped more than 30% between 2017 and 2021 to an average of $4,361 per year per American family.

At the same time, diagnoses for mental health conditions in kids rose by almost 22%.

The lead researcher says these findings “underscore the large financial burden associated with pediatric mental health conditions on the U.S. healthcare system.”

Overall, pediatric mental health conditions were associated with $31 billion in child medical spending by 2021.

The authors say while money is being spent on doctors’ visits and psychiatric medications, many young patients aren’t receiving treatment until they need expensive care in hospital emergency departments.

They say these findings highlight “the need for improved care before crises arise.”