Presidential Address: Investing in Children to Address the Child Mental Health Crisis
中文摘要
儿童心理健康危机被称为“我们这个时代决定性的公共卫生危机”。本文澄清关于这场危机的三个误区：（一）认为这场危机是新近出现的；（二）认为青少年自杀率上升主要反映儿童潜在心理健康状况的恶化；（三）认为对儿童的投资对其心理健康影响甚微。事实上，这场危机已持续数十年；青少年自杀率的变化与其他心理健康指标并不同步，并受到枪支立法等外部因素的影响；对儿童的投资能够改善其心理健康并预防自杀。（JEL I12, I18, J13, J16）
Abstract
The child mental health crisis has been described as the “defining public health crisis of our time.” This article addresses three myths about the crisis: (i) the idea that the crisis is new; (ii) the belief that increases in youth suicide mainly reflect deterioration in children’s underlying mental health; and (iii) the myth that investments in children have little impact on children’s mental health. In fact, the crisis has existed for decades, youth suicides vary asynchronously with other mental health measures and are impacted by external factors such as firearms legislation, and investments can improve child mental health and prevent suicide. (JEL I12, I18, J13, J16)