Pediatric
Needs
Arizona faces a critical state of child and young adult mental health, exacerbated by a severe shortage of mental health providers and inadequately equipped primary care providers (PCPs) to manage mental health concerns.
#49
Out of 51 states, AZ ranks of 49 in Youth Mental Health.
175
There are only 175 Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists in AZ.
20%
Of young people ages 3-17 in the US have a mental, emotional, developmental or behavioral disorder.
#2
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in individuals 10-14.
4 in 10
AZ teens reported poor mental health.
<50%
Less than half of children and adolescents with a diagnosable mental health problem receive the treatment they need.
As you can imagine, untreated childhood mental health problems can have significant long-term consequences, contributing to the development of chronic mental health problems in adulthood – early intervention and treatment can significantly improve outcomes and prevent escalation of problems.
In response to this urgent need, the Arizona Pediatric Psychiatry Access Line (APAL) serves as a lifeline for PCPs and their young patients. APAL addresses the shortage of mental health providers by providing comprehensive training and resources to PCPs, empowering them to better manage mental health concerns in their primary care settings. Additionally, APAL offers timely access to on-call child and adolescent psychiatrists and licensed behavioral health professionals through its dedicated phone line, operating 20 hours a week.
By bridging the gap between primary care and specialized mental health services, APAL strives to mitigate the profound impact of untreated mental health issues on Arizona's youth, fostering resilience and well-being in the face of significant societal challenges.