Annual Mental Health Screenings Recommended For U.S. Youth

Key Takeaways

American children and teens should be screened annually for mental, emotional and behavioral health issues, the American Academy of Pediatrics saysThe recommendation dovetails with a mental health crisis among U.S. youthThere’s a two- to four-year window when symptoms can be detected and addressed, before they become a full-blown disorder

MONDAY, Aug. 25, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Pediatricians should screen children annually for mental or developmental issues, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 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 b