Improved Mental Health in Children

Depression, PTSD, anxiety disorder and suicide are all being seen with higher frequency in children in Nevada. Treating these disorders in childhood results in happier, healthier children who become productive adults, rather than adults with mental disorders who fill our prisons, mental hospitals and charity clinics. How to do this affordably?

Children in 11-18yo (possibly also younger children, but these are the most at risk of suicide) should fill out a form twice a year. The form has 9 questions that screen for depression, 7 for anxiety, and 20 for PTSD. Children whose scores indicate pathology will be offered free online cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) after initial screening by a school psychologist. CBT can be performed by an automated chatbot. Parents should be notified.

Children who require more help than CBT will require referral to a physician or a psychologist not affiliated with the school system.

Expected outcome:

• Reduced suicide rates

• Reduced drug addiction rates

• Improved test scores

• Improved athletics performance