Tennessee has about 1 mental health provider for every 590 people. This is below her 1 in 350 national average.
Knoxville, Tennessee — Tennessee ranks last in the nation for mental health resources, according to new data. According to the latest “State of the Child” report, nearly three of her four children suffering from depression are not receiving treatment in the state.
The report will be officially available on the State of the Child site on January 11th.
Children in Tennessee experience similar levels of anxiety and depression as children in other states, but Tennessee ranks 41st in the nation for youth mental health. Experts in the field say the ranking is related to accessibility to treatment.
“These prevalence rates are pretty similar to the national average, but access to treatment isn’t, and we’re really far behind,” said Kylie Graves of the Tennessee Commission for Children and Youth. rice field.
Graves studied this data for months.
“In Tennessee, there is 1 mental health provider for every 590 people. Nationally, it is 1 for every 350 people,” Graves said.
She said that for some young people in more rural areas, mental health providers can be far from the county. This is why the McNabb Center continues to work on this issue.
“When people need mental health services, we want to make sure the support is there,” said Lindsey Stone, director of McNab’s children and youth mental health program.
The McNabb Center is one of East Tennessee’s leading mental health resources for children.
“Many mental health symptoms first start showing up in these age groups,” says Stone. It’s very important to normalize between them because they’re trying to validate those feelings.”
Otherwise, mental health struggles can become increasingly difficult for young people.McNab’s goal is to intervene and help young people before things get worse.
The State of the Child report shared data for 2020. Her under-24 suicide death toll that year was her 144.
About one in five high school students said they had seriously considered suicide in the past year. About seven he said one had made plans about how he would end his life, and about 11 he said one had attempted suicide.
That’s why intervention is so important, Stone said.
“That’s a big concern. We have to spread the word and understand what those risk factors are, so it has to be our concern,” Stone said. I got
The McNabb Center provides behavioral health services in Blount, Hamblen, Knox, Loudoun, and Sevier counties in Tennessee. For immediate assistance, please call 1-800-255-9711.
If you or a loved one is dealing with suicidal thoughts, call or text 988. There, we connect you with local mental health officials who want to hear whatever is on your mind and are always ready to help.
The full 2022 State of the Child report will be published on January 11th.
