The third leading cause of death in people between the age of 10 and 24 years of age is suicide. This stark 2015 statistic is broken down into 409 suicides by young people aged 10 to 14, and almost 5,500 in those aged 15 to 24 – for whom it is the second leading cause of death. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 20 percent of young people aged 13 to 18 years of age have a mental health condition. It’s time to step up the services offered to young children and youth and begin earlier intervention before their mental health deteriorates into a suicidal act in order to end their pain.
Help Those too Young to Help Themselves
Children and young people with mental health issues often don’t have the vocabulary to tell their caregivers what they are feeling inside. They may act out in ways that earn them a label as a “bad kid” or “drama queen.” They are said to be looking for attention, or may even be shamed for seeking help. This type of language isolates a child who is desperately in need of intervention. Acting out should be seen as a cry for help from someone who has no idea how to handle their emotions and impulses, or the experience and terms to describe their anguish.
Getting Care on Track
With the need for new mental health focus, there must also be HIPPA compliant records keeping inside the practice. Behavioral health EMR software is an important part of tracking care for an individual patient, marking progress, and at the same time facilitating communication between practice members and staff. Billing, prescriptions, billing and claims can’t be lost when they are consolidated under the aegis of a single software solution.
