In need, not seeking treatment

Though about 300,000 children in California between ages 4 and 11 have mental health needs, roughly 70 percent of them never receive treatment.

Researchers from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research looked at data from the 2007 and 2009 California Health Interview Survey, finding that of those children with mental health needs, 95 percent were covered by health insurance and 96 percent had a regular health care provider, according to California Healthline. Imelda Padilla-Frausto, lead author of the study, said, “The fact that they aren’t getting mental health treatment suggests there are other barriers besides health insurance.”

Possible explanations include language barriers creating difficulties navigating the health care system and stigma.