Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Why is children’s mental health important?
Mental health is an important part of overall health for children as well as adults. For many adults who have mental disorders, symptoms were present—but often not recognized or addressed—in childhood and adolescence. For a young person with symptoms of a mental disorder, the earlier treatment is started, the more effective it can be. Early treatment can help prevent more severe, lasting problems as a child grows up.
Latest news
- Youth With Conduct Disorder Show Widespread Differences in Brain Structure
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• Press Release
The largest neuroimaging study of conduct disorder to date, with funding from NIH, has revealed extensive changes in brain structure among young people with the disorder. The largest difference was a smaller area of the brain’s outer layer, known as the cerebral cortex, which is critical for many aspects of behavior, cognition and emotion.
- Digital Autism Screening Tool Could Enhance Early Identification
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• Research Highlight
A tablet-based screening tool that analyzes children’s behavior in response to specific video clips shows promise for enhancing early autism screening, according to a study supported by NIMH.
- Characterizing Childhood Irritability Across Ages and Stages
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• Research Highlight
NIMH-supported research captures expressions of irritability across developmental stages via a clinically relevant measurement tool: the MAPS Temper Loss Scale.
![Overhead view of a brain that looks like a map of the earth with ocean and continents.](/https/www.nimh.nih.gov/sites/default/files/images/news-items/thumbnails/conduct-disorder-brain-structure-thumbnail.jpg)
![Toddler watching clips via the SenseToKnow app while sitting in caregiver's lap](/https/www.nimh.nih.gov/sites/default/files/images/news-items/toddler-watching-movies-on-the-app-2-120x120.png)
![sad little girl rest on swing](/https/www.nimh.nih.gov/sites/default/files/images/news-items/featured-images/irritability_featured_0.jpg)
Featured videos
Childhood Irritability
Learn about symptoms of irritability, why it's important to study irritability, NIMH-supported research in this area, and new treatments for severe irritability in youth.
Mental Health Minute: Stress and Anxiety in Adolescents
Got 60 seconds? Take a mental health minute to learn about stress and anxiety in adolescents.
Mental Health Minute: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Got 60 seconds? Take a mental health minute to learn about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD.
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