Mental Health Outcomes in Children in Foster Care Improved With Mentoring, Skills Development

Mental Health Outcomes in Children in Foster Care Improved With Mentoring, Skills Development

Children who have been maltreated and placed in foster care are at risk for significant mental health problems including depression, posttraumatic stress, dissociation, social problems, suicidal behavior, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorders, according to background in the article. As well, studies of Medicaid claims suggest that as many as 57 percent of youths in foster care meet criteria for a mental disorder. Additional background information suggests that although children in foster care are in significant need of mental health services, the majority of these children do not receive the necessary treatment.