THE MIRROR | GIANMARCO RAZURI
As society becomes increasingly conscious of the issues it faces, one significant concern continues to be neglected: the mental health of children.
While mental health is discussed more now than it was just 10 years ago, not everyone is being given the attention they deserve. There is still a glaring gap in how we address the emotional and psychological needs of our younger generation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in five children in the United States suffer from a mental health disorder each year. Yet, as things currently stand, most of these children will never receive the treatment they desperately need.
There are plenty of reasons why many children miss out on necessary care.
Some families simply can’t afford mental health services. Others don’t even recognize the warning signs of mental health struggles. And still, others feel a stigma when it comes to seeking help.
But no matter the reasons or barriers, the end result is the same: these children grow up without receiving the psychiatric help they require.
Many adults are reluctant to acknowledge that there’s something deeper going on with their child. Instead, they often dismiss troubling behaviors as ‘just a phase’ or ‘attention-seeking.’
Even though society has made significant progress in understanding mental health, cultural stigma still lingers for many families.
And that’s why early intervention is key in effectively providing mental health care to children.
Without external support, children continue to suffer in silence, often misunderstood and wrongly judged. When they do speak up, they’re frequently dismissed or criticized because no one knows what’s really happening behind their behavior.
Every child deserves to feel supported and heard because mental and emotional safety is just as important as physical safety.
It’s time we stop turning a blind eye.
We must act now — investing in the mental health and well-being of young people is not just a matter of compassion; it’s an investment in our future. Future generations deserve to grow up equipped with the tools to lead successful, healthy lives.
Until we provide children the support they need when they find the courage to speak about their mental health struggles, we are failing them and we are failing our future.
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2025 print edition.