A higher rate of children living in poverty-stricken neighborhoods has mental illnesses. That's according to the president and CEO of the Mental Health Association, Patricia Woods. She says 2 in 5 kids in urban communities have mental health problems, compared to 1 in 5 in non-urban areas.
"The poverty, then you add in the violence that's been going on, especially if you look at Rochester in recent years,” Woods says. “That all adds and increases the prevalence of mental illness."
Woods says emotional problems in youth can lead to a higher drop out rate. She says when kids have a hard time doing well in school, making friends and building relationships with their family, it's time to get help.
"The earlier you can get services into that child the better their school experience is going to be," Woods says. "Over 50% of the kids who have a mental illness whether its diagnosed or not end up dropping out of high school. "
Woods also says 50% of mental health problems start before the age of 14, while 3/4 of them develop by age 24.