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NIMH-Funded National Comorbidity Survey Replication Study (NCS-R): Mental Illness Exacts Heavy Toll, Beginning in Youth 

Researchers supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) have found that half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14, and that despite effective treatments, there are long delays -- sometimes decades -- between first onset of symptoms and when people seek and receive treatment. The study also reveals that an untreated mental disorder can lead to a more severe, more difficult to treat illness, and to the development of co-occurring mental illnesses. 
For more on this article:  http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/ncs-r.cfm

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July 20, 2005 
America's Children: Parents Report Estimated 2.7 Million Children with
Emotional and Behavioral Problems 

A special feature in the report, America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2005 shows that nearly 5 percent--or an estimated 2.7 million children--are reported by their parents to suffer from definite or severe emotional or behavioral difficulties, problems that may interfere with their family life, their ability to learn, and their formation of friendships [and stable employment]. These difficulties may persist throughout a child's development and lead to lifelong disability, including more serious illness, more difficult to treat illness, and co-occurring mental illnesses.

For more on this article:  
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/childhood_indicators.cfm



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Laura Flint
NH-Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center
(802) 241-3966
(802) 241-3052 (fax)
[log in to unmask]

Mailing Address:
Department of Health, Division of Mental Health
103 South Main Street
Waterbury  VT  05671-1601