“PrairieCare: Access to In-patient Services for Children and Adolescents.”
It is well understood that a substantial number of children, adolescents and adults will suffer from mental illness at some point in their life. Indeed, approximately 20 percent of kids are estimated to have a mental illness resulting in at least mild impairment in function, while it is thought that the prevalence of mental illness in adults is approximately 19 percent. These prevalence estimates suggest that millions of children, adolescents and adults struggle with mental illness at any point in time, however far fewer seek and receive care. The morbidity and mortality associated with untreated mental illness is profound. Here in Minnesota, suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 10-14, and is the second leading cause of mortality for individuals 15-34. Unfortunately, it is often difficult for patients seeking psychiatric care to access services. In the Twin Cities metropolitan area, PrairieCare recognizes this problem and is expanding access to mental health care to patients of all ages.