Anxiety and depression are rising among Wisconsin’s youth, especially children of color. 

The 2022 KIDS COUNT® Data Book highlights 16 indicators of well-being for children and families, and also shows that mental health needs among our state’s youth continue to be deeply concerning.

However, this youth mental health crisis is not felt equally: 26% of Black children, 60% of Native American children, and 22% of Latina and Latino children were diagnosed with or reported to have anxiety or depression in Wisconsin. This is in contrast to 15% of white children. 

Though these disparities are deeply concerning, they are not surprising given the significant stress Black and Brown families were experiencing during the early days of the pandemic, and given Wisconsin’s history. Broadly, Wisconsin has had the regrettable distinction of ranking among the worst states in the nation for racial inequality.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health, “communities of color have experienced higher rates of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths since the pandemic began.”

“This shouldn’t shock anyone. Kids of color are already dealing with a slew of other disparate life and health impacts. Add the stresses brought on by COVID-19, including worse outcomes for communities of color, and anxiety and depression will naturally follow,” said Michele Mackey, Kids Forward CEO. “But it doesn’t have to be this way. There are common sense solutions to addressing and improving the mental health of our youth.”

What can Wisconsin Policymakers do? 

Social Determinants of Health

Address mental health for kids by addressing social determinants of health, and economic and racial inequities. A key lever to address this is to increase the Earned Income Tax Credit as a percentage of the federal credit from 4 percent to 16 percent for parents with one qualifying child and from 11 percent to 25 percent for parents with two qualifying children beginning with tax year 2021. The earned income tax credit has been shown to be effective in reducing childhood poverty and children’s behavioral health issues, including anxiety and depression. 

Schools

Increase stable statewide investments in schools; most kids access mental health treatment there. One-time funding and grant-based funding streams are not sufficient.

Medicaid

Expand Medicaid to increase children’s access to mental health and reinvest the $1.6 billion savings into improving Wisconsin’s children’s mental health system. Increase Medicaid payment for mental health treatment to improve recruitment and retention of mental health professionals.

Lead Abatement & Quality Child Care

As part of the Quality Care for Quality Kids allocation, provide funding for training and technical assistance to early child care educators with the goal of reducing instances of children being removed from care settings due to behavioral challenges. Prioritize lead abatement funding (paint and pipes) in early childcare settings. 30% are in home-based childcare settings (source). Lead poisoning often leads to behavioral challenges, learning disorders, and adverse health.

Access to Abortion

Increase access to contraception and abortion, which are critical to ensuring youth can choose the timing of when they want to start a family, and critical for supporting positive family outcomes.