The cost to American families of caring for a child with a mental health condition rose by almost a third between 2017 and 2021, a new report finds, to an average $4,361 per year.
Overall, American families spent an estimated $31 billion in 2021 on child mental hea...
Teens have a higher risk of self-injury -- deliberately cutting or burning themselves -- if they have a fraught relationship with a struggling parent, a new study shows.
Teenagers were nearly five times more likely to self-injure if, when they were 6, their moms and dads...
Most parents have experienced it: Your young child wakes up distraught, sure that the nightmare they've just suffered through is real.
Dr. Anis Rehman, an internal medicine specialist and consu...
A study of mental health care in Maryland finds an increasing number of children and teens covered by Medicaid are taking multiple psychiatric meds.
This trend towards "polypharmacy" might be happening elsewhere, prior research suggests.
In the new study, Maryland ...
Kids are more likely to lie to their parents if their parents have been lying to them -- even with positive “white” lies, a new study shows.
But researchers found a difference between encouraging white lies and “instrumental” lies that involve false threats or pr...
Kids with emotional problems or ADHD can find the holidays a very challenging time, as all the routines that provide a sense of order are jumbled in a whirl of activities.
The kids are home from school and restless, their parents are hauling them along to Christmas shopp...
More patience. Less time on phones. Healthier habits. Better grades.
Parents and kids alike are making resolutions for the New Year, setting personal goals for themselves in 2024, a new poll has found.
Nearly three in four parents say they will adopt a resolution o...
A pregnant woman's mental health might have profound effects on the mind of her unborn child, a new evidence review warns.
Children appear to be at higher risk for mental health and behavior issues if their moms were highly stressed, anxious or depressed during pregnancy...
Whether or not you have loved ones in the Middle East, the horrors of the violence and suffering in Israel and Gaza are heart-wrenching and difficult to bear.
“It's important to be informed, but don't stress yourself out," said
As kids grow up, their desire to venture out on their own and gain some independence is natural.
And a new national poll suggests that most parents say they're fine with that.
The problem? The poll highlights a pretty big gap between what parents say and w...
Raging wildfires, droughts, floods and record-breaking heat brought on by climate change are taking a toll on kids' already fragile mental health.
Young children who are close to their parents are more likely to grow up to be kind, caring and considerate. These kids may also have fewer mental health problems during early childhood and adolescence, a new study finds.
By contrast, children whose early relationships w...
As many as 1 in 4 teens with autism may be undiagnosed, new research suggests.
“Autism is much more prevalent than people assume,” said lead researcher Walter Zahorodny
In yet another reminder of the psychic toll the pandemic has taken on young people, new research shows spending on mental health services for U.S. children and adolescents has risen sharply since 2020.
It climbed 26% for youths aged 19 and younger between March 2020 and ...
While the start of the school year can give kids and teens the chance to reconnect with friends and enjoy school sports and activities, it can also trigger stressors that send many to the emergency room for mental health woes, a new report shows.
Among children aged 5 to...
So much for the powerful feminist messaging in the new Barbie movie.
Director Greta Gerwig's feminist interpretation of Barbie depicted the fashion dolls as judges, surgeons, naval officers, astronauts and U.S. Presidents in Barbie World, and it resonated. The Barbie mov...
Just like adults, kids face daily stressors.
Luckily, a new study suggests that teaching them creative thinking can help them manage it all.
Researchers found that when school-age children learned some "narrative creativity" techniques -- such as shifting your pers...
A stressful or traumatic childhood experience — anything from parents divorcing to a sibling's drug problem — may have long-term effects on a woman's sexual health.
These adverse childhood experiences may be linked to sexual inactivity and dysfunction in women later ...
If your child is acting out and you're looking for solutions, researchers at the University of Georgia's Youth Development Institute suggest better sleep might be the answer.
Getting more hours of slumber could reduce impulsive behavior in kids, their new study showed.
When U.S. parents express their concerns about their school-aged children, social media use and the internet are at the top of the list.
Mental health issues are another top worry, according to the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National
Pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Erin Okawa works in a wealthy Los Angeles neighborhood and sees many parents worried about their kids' height.
“I have a clinic in Manhattan Beach, which was app...
The use of antipsychotic medication in children is continuing to plummet, likely because of better policies and education, new research shows.
The study found a 43% drop in antipsychotic prescriptions for Medicaid-enrolled children in 45 states, a stark contrast from the...
Young children may be fascinated by electronic devices, but a new study suggests that old-fashioned reading may help them grow into better adjusted middle schoolers.
The study, of more than 10,000 U.S. "tweens," found that those who'd begun reading for fun early in child...
Could high-quality child care for young children translate into better grades in math and science?
Yes, says new research that found children with caregivers who provided both warmth and mental stimulation go on to do better in science, technology, engineering and math (...
About one in every seven American kids aged 5 to 17 underwent some form of mental health treatment in 2021, the latest year for which statistics are available.
So finds a new report from...
Kids with poor impulse control — a common characteristic of ADHD — may be at higher risk for health, social and criminal problems as adults, a new study indicates.
Researchers found that having attention and behavior problems in childhood was linked to less money, l...
U.S. gun deaths and injuries in children have risen at astronomical rates. Yet, among kids on Medicaid, only about two of every five children who get shot receive mental health care within six months of these traumatic incidents, researchers say.
The need is great,...
Summer vacation has begun for some families and screen use may already feel like too much.
A psychiatrist from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston offers some tips for making sure smartphones and tablets are put to good use and not used to excess.
Kids who devote some of their free time to volunteer work may not only help others, but also themselves.
That's according to a new study that found U.S. kids who spend time in community service are often thriving, physically and mentally.
Overall, kids who'd volunt...
From their first smile to their first step to the first day of school, children go through a remarkable transformation on their way to adulthood.
Here, experts explore the five developmental stages, from infancy to adulthood, and take a deeper look at the developmental m...
Children's personalities and moods can be as diverse as the cosmos, so figuring out the best parenting style can be challenging.
To help, experts here take a deep dive into authoritative parenting, including what it's like, examples of authoritative parenting style, its ...
There's a lot of buzz about "gentle parenting" right now, but what exactly is this style of child-rearing?
Here, the creator of the concept breaks down gentle parenting, including what it is, the mindset that underpins it, some gentle parenting examples and what gentle p...
Picture this: A child running towards their parent, arms outstretched, with an infectious smile stretching from ear to ear. That deep, unbreakable bond built on trust, love and security is an outgrowth of a secure attachment style, which forms the foundation for healthy relati...
Parenting styles play a significant role in children's development and well-being. Permissive parenting, as a distinct contrast to authoritative or authoritarian styles, has gained attention for its impact on children.
This article delves into permissive parenting, exam...
With so many American kids and teens dealing with depression or anxiety, pediatricians are increasingly stepping in as mental health care providers. Now, a new study suggests they are doing a decent job -- but too few kids are being referred for talk therapy.
Researche...
It's not new for young people to develop an interest in their favorite pop singer or actor, but it can be problematic if that adoration turns toxic.
It's easier than ever to get lost in a celebrity's carefully curated image via social media posts, according to Baylor Co...
Life isn't all fun and games for kids. They do a fair amount of worrying, too.
In fact, according to a survey of kids ages 9 to...
Parents who harshly discipline their young children may be putting them on a path toward lasting mental health symptoms, a new study suggests.
Researchers found that among 7,500 children followed from age 3 to 9, about 10% fell into a "high risk" group where mental healt...
Children should feel safe at school, but learning of a mass shooting — like this week's tragedy at Covenant School in Nashville — can threaten their sense of security.
For parents, it can be challenging to know what to tell them.
Two children's mental health e...
Children's screen use could be altering their developing brains as they enter adolescence and increasing their risk for mood disorders, a major new study finds.
Children ages 9 and 10 who spend more time on smartphones, tablets, video games and TV exhibited higher levels...
For depressed or anxious children, taking melatonin may afford a good night's sleep and, as a result, lower the odds they will harm themselves, new research suggests.
The risk of self-harm increased before melatonin was prescribed and decreased by about half after kids s...
Kids and teens are struggling with their mental health in America, and one new report suggests the overinvolvement of parents may be partly to blame.
Kids don't get to roam any more. They've lost time for free play and risk-taking amid parents' fears about the dangers o...
For some children, it can be hard when mom or dad leave them at daycare, school or even just with the other parent.
It's normal for small children to feel some separation anxiety.
But it can be more concerning when a child doesn't outgrow these feelings or feels ...
An antidote to teenage depression might be found in school gymnasiums and on sports fields, a major new review argues.
Supervised exercise programs are associated with significant reductions in symptoms of depression among children and teenagers, according to the analysi...
Firearm injuries traumatize children, saddling them with mental health issues that include stress disorders and drug or alcohol use, according to a new study.
In all, 35% of kids injured by firearms receive a new mental health diagnosis in the following year, the
Kids who are overweight or obese often struggle with school work, and now new research provides clues on how excess weight may harm the developing brain.
“The main takeaway is to raise awareness about brain health consequences of obesity besides physical health co...
The kids aren't alright.
Up to 1 in 5 children in the United States has a mental health condition, but only about half of those who need mental health care are now receiving it. What's more, suicide is the second leading cause of death among U.S. kids and teens, and...
Millions of parents drop their toddlers off at day care centers so they can go to work, but some are racked with guilt about it.
One of their main concerns? Time spent in group day care could encourage their toddler to start acting out.
Now, a large, new study...
Moms who have had emergency surgery during pregnancy can rest assured that exposure to anesthesia is not linked to developmental issues in their children, a new study reveals.
While surgery and anesthe...
The key to better child behavior after surgery may be a more peaceful operating room.
“The period before, during and after surgery is a particularly unpredictable time for parents,” explained Nguyen Tram, a research scientist at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Colu...