How North Carolina’s Mental Health System Falls Short for Kids and Families in Crisis

Navigating Mental Health Care Challenges for Kids

In North Carolina, urgent pleas for help resonate in families struggling with mental health crises. Two children, David, 14, and Ashley, 10, reached out to their parents in fear of self-harm, highlighting a wider public health emergency affecting youth.

Families often face daunting barriers while seeking care. Insurance companies frequently deny coverage, and long wait times make it harder to find suitable providers. Many families find themselves lost in a fragmented system that overlooks the urgent needs of their children, according to mental health advocates.

Parent Experiences

David’s struggles began at a young age. When he asked his mother to remove knives from the home, Laura sprang into action. Unfortunately, her calls for help went unanswered for weeks. They faced a long delay for an appointment and ultimately found themselves in an unsuitable clinic. Comprehensive care was nowhere in sight.

Laura felt dismissed and helpless as the provider told David, "If you don’t want to get better, I can’t help you." With the emergency room serving as a last resort, David spent hours waiting for help. Research shows that psychiatric patients in North Carolina face an average wait of 5.25 hours in emergency rooms. For families like David’s, this wait often ends in mental health care delivered in environments ill-equipped to offer support.

“I spent every day Googling for help,” Laura recalled. It took time and persistence, but eventually, she found a specialist who could treat David’s obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism simultaneously. This pivotal diagnosis made a significant difference in David’s life.

The System is Strained

Amanda, a mother in Fuquay-Varina, faced a similar uphill battle when her daughter Ashley expressed suicidal thoughts. After her first therapy appointment was two months away, Amanda was left anxious and uncertain, questioning whether her daughter was safe alone.

When they finally saw a therapist, Amanda noticed a lack of child-specific training. The therapist’s approach triggered more distress for Ashley. After reaching out to her insurance provider and finding limited options, Amanda took initiative. She discovered an intern willing to work with children. While it meant paying out-of-pocket, this choice proved beneficial for Ashley’s growth.

Mental health professionals share similar challenges. Erik Newman, a psychologist in Fuquay-Varina, points out the overwhelming demand for child therapy, exacerbated by low insurance reimbursement rates. This impacts how providers can deliver care. Research indicates a 9% rise in demand for child therapy nationwide, with requests for therapy in younger children increasing even more rapidly.

Experts like Dana Torpey-Newman advocate for expanding treatment options. Many children do not get the adequate support they need and could face long-term repercussions, such as increased risks of self-harm and substance use disorders.

Potential Solutions

While no single solution will fix the crisis, some states have had success with policy changes. For example, allowing psychologists to prescribe medications has been linked to reductions in unmet care needs and suicide rates—an approach worth considering for North Carolina.

Additionally, increasing training for current mental health professionals to specialize in child care can help mitigate the provider shortage.

Conclusion

Navigating the mental health care system can be overwhelming for parents. Advocates for children encourage persistent and proactive efforts. Trusting your instincts and seeking help from various sources can lead to finding care tailored to your child’s needs. As Amanda wisely advises, “Don’t stop advocating for your child.”

Resources:
If your child needs help, consider reaching out to local crisis centers or professional organizations for guidance. National resources like the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) and the Child Mind Institute offer valuable support for families.

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