“The amount of resources we put into fighting COVID, a fraction of that would make a huge difference in making treatment available for those who are [experiencing mental health symptoms], and supporting parents and families so they can care for their children,” Gary Maslow, MD, associate psychiatry professor at Duke and co-director of the division of child & family mental health & community psychiatry, said in the July 13 media briefing from Duke.
Dr. Maslow said he believes school disruptions and social isolation likely contribute to the increase in depressive and anxiety symptoms among adolescents in the U.S.
“I think we have an opportunity to look at places like schools, community connections in other ways, and find ways to support children and families,” Dr. Maslow said in the briefing.
According to Dr. Maslow, expanding Medicaid and access to healthcare, increasing the number of behavioral health providers and changing national policy are key to addressing the growing number of children having mental health issues
