Child and Adolescent Mental and Behavioral Health Principles (2023)

In 2016, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) Coalition first joined together to publish principles outlining concrete opportunities to improve and enhance mental health services for children and adolescents. We refreshed the principles in 2019 and 2021, and are excited to now release the newest version for 2023, reflecting new data, legislative and regulatory accomplishments, and continued gaps. As a coalition, we offer a set of specific and actionable opportunities that increase access to evidence-based prevention, early identification, and early intervention; expand mental health services in schools; integrate mental/behavioral health into pediatric primary care; strengthen the child and adolescent mental and behavioral health workforce; increase insurance coverage and payment; ensure mental health parity; extend access to telehealth; support children in crisis; and address the mental health needs of justice-involved youth.