Children with multiple mental health conditions often face added challenges. Experiencing more than one mental disorder has been associated with an increased likelihood of attempting suicide and dying by suicide.

Children with concurrent disorders are also more likely to experience greater impairment overall as well as in specific situations, including at school, at home and in relationships. In addition, these children are at greater risk for experiencing poorer quality of life and more peer problems, and they are more likely to drop out of treatment and have poorer treatment responses than those with one disorder only.

These findings underscore the importance of ensuring that children with concurrent disorders receive effective treatments that address all of their mental health needs and that are delivered in a manner than encourages their ongoing engagement.

For more information, see Vol. 17, No. 3 of the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly.