Lack of child and adolescent psychiatrists to address the mental health needs of children.

Primary care pediatric health care providers must be prepared to fill the gap to address the youth mental health crisis.

The most diagnosed mental disorders in children are ADHD, anxiety, depression, and behavior problems.

Case study that emphasizes the approach to managing an adolescent with anxiety.

Primary care pediatric health care providers have always supported the well-being of children and their families. In the past, the focus has been diagnosing and treating common pediatric physical diseases as well as anticipatory guidance and prevention of pathology through well child visits. Now with the growing mental health crisis impacting young people, identifying, and treating common mental health disorders has become a health care priority in the pediatric primary care setting. A case study format is used to illustrate the assessment, evaluation and management of an adolescent presenting with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Evidenced-based interventions are presented, and mental health resources are provided to assist the pediatric health care provider to confidently care for common mental health disorders in adolescents.

Anxiety

Pediatric

Mental health

Adolescent

Psychopharmacology

© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.