The current status and impact of US National Policy on the help-seeking behavior of adolescents

The lack of U.S. federal public policy addressing the mental health needs for traumatized adolescents constitutes a national problem. As adolescent's prevalence rates for emotional and behavioral problems grow, the service gap widens particularly for specific ethnic groups. This article examines the current status and impact of contemporary U.S. policies for trauma-exposed adolescents in regard to mental health help seeking. Focusing on this growing national social problem and service gap, the author reviews and analyzes federal policies and discusses how U.S. public policy can be strengthened. Implications regarding specific ethnic groups are explored and additional legislation is recommended.