The Toll of Teen Mental Illness: Parents' Health Decline

The national shortage of mental health care providers and the search for affordable care have taken a toll on parents' mental and physical health as they struggle to support their children with severe mental health challenges. The stress and anxiety of navigating the system often lead to a decline in parents' well-being, affecting their ability to provide care. Evidence-based therapies should include support for parents, but the focus on adult caregivers often falls short. The lack of quality mental health care services exacerbates the risk for illnesses in youth, and without appropriate help, these conditions can persist for years.