By California Children's Trust, June 4, 2020
Behavioral health needs affect children from every social position, background, and location in California. However, access to behavioral health resources and participation in behavioral health systems are stratified by caregiver income, insurance status, access to education, opportunity, and social power. In a state where nearly 60% of its children live in poverty, this leaves too many children and families without the support they need to reach their developmental potential and without meaningful ways to contribute to their own healing.
Exposure to racism, early childhood adversity, and social isolation also contribute to short and long-term behavioral health needs across the life course. If unaddressed, these needs can manifest in developmental delays, mental and physical health impairments, inadequate school readiness, decreased educational attainment, and increased risk for substance use and abuse. In California, a little over 60% of children are exposed to at least one adverse childhood event and Black, Latinx, Indigenous, queer, trans, and gender-nonconforming, refugees, and rural populations disproportionately experience even higher levels of toxic stress. In our state, the broad reach of behavioral health risks and needs touches nearly every family and disproportionately burdens Black, Latinx, Indigenous, queer, trans, and gender-nonconforming, immigrants and refugees, and rural children, youth, and families.
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