The Quiet Crisis: The Gap in Access to Pediatric Mental Health Care
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the problem
Kids aren’t getting the care they need.
Right now, 1 in 10 children in the U.S. aren’t getting the mental health care they need. Even though half of all mental health disorders begin before age 14, children’s mental health remains one of the most inaccessible and under-resourced areas of health care in America.
That’s why we created The Quiet Crisis—a movement to shine a light on the growing gap in access to mental health care for kids during Mental Health Awareness Month this May.
1 in 10 children in the U.S. aren’t getting the mental health care they need
Half of all mental health disorders begin before age 14
100% of kids are screened for suicide ideation with urgent appointments available within 24 hours
WHAT’S THIS DOING TO KIDS?
When it takes years to get help, their health and life suffer.
The impact of untreated mental health conditions in children is significant and far-reaching. When left unaddressed, these conditions are linked to poor educational outcomes, like lower attendance rates, higher dropout rates, and decreased academic performance, including lower test scores.
Additionally, children with mental health disorders incur nearly four times higher medical costs compared to those without such conditions, placing a financial burden on families and the healthcare system.
One of the most concerning aspects is the delay in treatment. On average, it takes between eight to ten years for a child to receive proper mental health care after symptoms first appear. This means that many children don’t get the help they need until their condition has progressed to a more severe stage, making treatment more challenging and less effective.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT ON PARENTS?
Parents’ mental health is worsening.
The worsening child mental health crisis exacerbates mental health challenges in parents.
20% of mothers are impacted by postpartum depression (PPD), leading to adverse medical, psychiatric, and social effects for them, their families, and their children. 54% of caregivers who planned to leave their job in 6-12 months cited their child’s mental health.
our mission
Little Otter is on a mission to reimagine family mental health care
The best clinicians. The latest virtual care technology and mental health data. High-quality, personalized care for families wherever they are.
Created by a family, for all families
Founded by mother-daughter duo, Dr. Helen Egger and Rebecca Egger, Little Otter provides all families with personalized, comprehensive mental health care.
As the Chief Medical & Scientific Officer, Dr. Helen Egger brings 30 years of experience in child mental health to Little Otter, including former leadership roles at Duke University School of Medicine and NYU Langone Health. CEO Rebecca Egger brings her experience as a product executive in Silicon Valley to lead the technology behind the Little Otter platform.
The Eggers founded Little Otter because they believe that all families deserve access to best mental health clinicians for their needs, immediately—no matter where they live or what they look like. Through virtual care and transparent, evidence-based treatment, Little Otter gives families unparalleled access to the highest quality mental care.
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