Arkansas Children Need You!
One of the most important parts of making a difference is knowing the scope of the problem you're working to solve. The work you do in your classrooms is important, and the numbers back it up. Learn more about the state of child mental, social, and emotional well-being in Arkansas.
- In 2021, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Children’s Hospital Association joined to declare a National State of Emergency in Children’s Mental Health due to widespread challenges facing youth. This crisis predates but was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. (Declaration National Crisis Oct-2021.pdf)
- In 2022, Arkansas ranked 47th in prevalence of youth mental illness and 42nd in access to mental health services (2022: The State of Mental Health in America)
- Arkansas has one of the highest rates of traumatized youth, ranking 43rd nationally for young people with more than two Adverse Childhood Experiences. (Arkansas Department of Health: Adverse Childhood Experiences)
- Resilience is the key to balanced well-being. According to the Arkansas Department of Health, children who experience adversity “are more at risk for negative social, emotional, educational, behavioral, cognitive, and health outcomes throughout their lives” (Arkansas Department of Health: Adverse Childhood Experiences).
- Data from many sources in Arkansas indicates that a youth mental health crisis continues. For example, the Arkansas Department of Health reports a rise across the state in youth visiting emergency rooms for self-inflicted injuries in 2016-2021.
