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AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends yearly mental health screenings for kids
UPI ^ | August 25, 2025 | Dennis Thompson

Posted on 08/25/2025 7:38:28 PM PDT by DoodleBob

Pediatricians should screen children annually for mental or developmental issues, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends in a new clinical report.

The recommendation comes in response to a mental, emotional and behavioral health crisis that's been brewing among America's youth, the AAP says.

Up to 1 in 5 children in the U.S., including kids as young as 2, are living with a mental or behavioral health problem like depression, anxiety, ADHD or suicidal thoughts and feelings, according to the report published online today in the journal Pediatrics.

And in 2020, suicide became the second-leading cause of death among kids aged 10 to 14 and the third-leading among 15- to 24-year-olds. AAP said the rate increased 41% between 2000 and 2017.

"Just as a pediatrician checks every child's physical health and development, they need to feel equipped to identify mental, emotional and behavioral health issues during routine exams," lead guideline author Dr. Carol Weitzman, co-director of the Autism Spectrum Center at Boston Children's Hospital, said in a news release.

"The pediatrician also takes into context the family's history and the community environment," she added. "In fact, screening begins within the first month of life to identify postpartum depression in caregivers."

The new report provides guidance on screening children beginning in the first year of life and beyond.

It recommends that child-focused screening begin at 6 months old and continue as part of well-child visits at 1, 2 and 3 years old. After 3, screening would continue annually.

The goal is to work with families to address children's mental health symptoms before they grow worse, the report says.

Earlier studies have shown there's a 2- to 4-year window between the initial appearance of mental or emotional symptoms to when they develop into a full-blown disorder, the AAP says.

"Mental health conditions can seriously affect a child's ability to learn, grow and connect with others -- and yet they often go unnoticed or untreated," co-author Dr. James Guevara, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, said in a news release.

"There are new strategies that can help pediatricians connect families with mental health support right in their offices," Guevara added. "These include expert consultations, team-based care and training programs that help doctors respond more effectively."

The report also provides guidance for organizing a pediatric practice for mental health screening, and what to do if a child screens positive with mental, emotional or behavioral symptoms.

As well as identifying concerns, the report emphasizes the need to build on a family's strengths, resilience and overall health.

"Pediatricians and families can work together to build resilience and promote wellness in children and teens at every encounter," Weitzman said. "Supporting children's mental health now helps them grow into healthy, capable adults. It's one of the most important investments we can make."


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: aap; allurkidsrbelong2us; children; groomers; grooming; lgbt; lgbtq; mentalhealth; screening

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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Examination Day from the Twilight Zone.


21 posted on 08/25/2025 8:54:20 PM PDT by Deaf Smith (When a Texan takes his chances, chances will be taken that's for sure.)
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To: DoodleBob

Turning every single person into a drug consumer for their bottom line.
Screw them. Screw big Pharma.


22 posted on 08/25/2025 8:58:21 PM PDT by vpintheak (Screw the ChiComms! America first!)
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To: DoodleBob

This is a terrible, terrible idea. Yet another avenue for separating children from their parents so they can be given “expert” indoctrination.


23 posted on 08/25/2025 9:22:59 PM PDT by Albion Wilde (“We’re redoing DC parks, all new grass. I’m good at grass; I have a lot of golf courses.” —DJ Trump)
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To: DoodleBob

This is a terrible, terrible idea. Yet another avenue for separating children from their parents so they can be given “expert” indoctrination.


24 posted on 08/25/2025 9:23:03 PM PDT by Albion Wilde (“We’re redoing DC parks, all new grass. I’m good at grass; I have a lot of golf courses.” —DJ Trump)
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To: DoodleBob
"Earlier studies have shown there's a 2- to 4-year window between the initial appearance of mental or emotional symptoms to when they develop into a full-blown disorder, the AAP says.

A critical window of opportunity for the unprofessional but accredited meddlers to intervene. Parents should have a healthier skepticism towards every "exactician" they're referred to or consult in.
25 posted on 08/26/2025 2:31:20 AM PDT by equaviator (Nobody's perfect. That's why they put pencils on erasers!)
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To: DoodleBob

After harming or killing many children with the Vaxx, the Pediatricians should screen children annually for mental or developmental issues, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends in a new clinical report.


26 posted on 08/26/2025 4:07:10 AM PDT by Presbyterian Reporter
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To: DoodleBob

Really bad idea. People qualified to assess childhood mental health are few and far between, but charlatans who can do more harm than good are behind every blade of grass.


27 posted on 08/26/2025 6:58:16 AM PDT by hinckley buzzard ( Resist the narrative.)
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To: DoodleBob

Hmmmm, APA has 67,000 members, as of 2023 there were approx 60,000 practicing pediatricians in the USA, and they don’t tell us how many of those pediatricians signed on to this power grab over parents seeking to label normal children mentally ill so they can put them on drugs and routine brainwashing. Either way , screw em.


28 posted on 08/26/2025 7:11:20 AM PDT by Mastador1
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To: DoodleBob

Parents should screen out any pediatrician who is a member of the AAP.


29 posted on 08/26/2025 7:39:54 AM PDT by Ford4000
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To: crusty old prospector

I RECOMMEND YEARLY TESTS FOR THESE PEOPLE


30 posted on 08/26/2025 8:24:03 AM PDT by ridesthemiles (not giving up on TRUMP---EVER)
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To: DoodleBob

If you love your kids, then do not do this. Mental Health Professionals are trained in pseudoscientific discipline and are heavily indoctrinated in Marxist ideology. This will lead to chronic misdiagnosis and drugging your kids, at best, or at worst the state wil take them away from you and do to them whatever twisted desire the state wishes, such as gender transition. If you refuse to follow the prescription of the mental health practitioner then expect CPS to come knocking. Best not to start.


31 posted on 08/26/2025 11:55:27 AM PDT by Intar
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