Carter Center Hosts Symposium on Children and Mental Health: Symptoms and Redesigning Treatment Services

ATLANTA, GA… No other set of health conditions is as harmful to children as mental illness. One in 10 children and adolescents suffer from mental illness severe enough to cause some level of impairment, yet only one in five such children receive treatment, according to the Surgeon General's report on children's mental health.

The 17th annual Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy on November 7-8 at The Carter Center will address youth in crisis, particularly symptoms parents and doctors should look for and redesigning children's mental health care services to properly address their needs.

"By and large, the health system we have often fails to adequately diagnosis and treat the mental health problems of children and adolescents," said Dr. Gregory Fricchione, director of the Center's Mental Health Program. "The issues of this conference are vital to everyone as many of our children are clearly not receiving the treatment they need out in the community. Evidence based treatment options need to be available to them."

One of the symposium panels will feature four youth from across the United States who will talk about their experience with mental illness. The panel will be moderated by "Dr. Drew," who gained popularity on MTV's "Loveline" show.

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter will make introductory remarks at the symposium. The symposium is supported by The Annenberg Foundation, the Freddie Mac Foundation, and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

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