CHICAGO — Pediatric health experts are calling for a stronger emphasis on prevention and early intervention to address what they describe as an ongoing mental health crisis among children and adolescents, according to recommendations published this year by leading medical organizations and public health groups.
The call comes as pediatricians, mental health specialists and policymakers report rising demand for youth mental health services and continued barriers to care. In a clinical report released in April, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) urged healthcare providers to integrate mental and emotional development into routine pediatric care rather than focusing primarily on diagnosis and treatment after problems emerge.
The report recommends that pediatricians promote healthy emotional development from infancy through adolescence, conduct regular mental health surveillance, and identify concerns early through screening and family engagement. According to the AAP, prevention, early support and long-term relationships between healthcare providers and families are key components of improving outcomes.
“Mental and emotional development isn't something to address only when concerns arise or when there's a crisis,” said Dr. Evelyn Berger-Jenkins, lead author of the report. “It's a core part of caring for children from infancy through adolescence.”
The recommendations follow broader concerns among health organizations about deteriorating mental health among young people. An OECD report published in April said youth mental health has been worsening for more than a decade and called for stronger prevention measures, earlier support and coordinated action across multiple sectors, including health, education and social services.
In Europe, the European Economic and Social Committee highlighted the emotional well-being of children and young people during a March plenary session, where participants urged greater investment in prevention, safer digital environments and stronger community-based support systems.
Healthcare groups have also pointed to growing pressure on emergency and specialist services. In May, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said increasing numbers of children were presenting to emergency departments during mental health crises and called for earlier intervention and investment in preventive services.
While experts broadly agree on the importance of prevention, they also note ongoing challenges, including shortages of mental health professionals, long waiting times and uneven access to services. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry said in May that many children with treatable mental health conditions still do not receive professional care.
Health organizations said efforts to expand screening, strengthen family support, improve access to community services and integrate mental health into routine pediatric care remain ongoing as governments and healthcare systems seek to respond to growing demand.
