Massachusetts Children Often Must Wait for Mental Heatlh Services, Report Finds

More than one-third of children in Massachusetts must wait more than one year to receive mental health care "as often as they need it," according to a report released last week, the Boston Herald reports. The report, funded by the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Foundation of Massachusetts and prepared by Health Care for All and the Parent Professional Advocacy League, surveyed 300 Massachusetts families who have sought mental health care for their children. According to the report:

• About 50% of survey respondents said that their children had displayed symptoms of mental illness by age 4 and that about 50% of their children's pediatricians "rarely or never" asked about their mental health conditions.
  
• About 33% of survey respondents said that their children suffered "mental health crises" at school, where officials were "often unprepared" to address their problems.
  
• About 50% of survey respondents said that their children's primary mental health care provider was "not at all accessible" or only "somewhat accessible" after regular office hours.
  
• About 50% of survey respondents said the care that their children received for mental illness was "not at all helpful" or only "somewhat helpful."
  
• About 60% of survey respondents said they "worry at least some of the time" that their children will hurt themselves because of inadequate access to mental health care.