North Carolina Earns Failing Grades On Child Mental Health & Other Indicators Of Child Well-Being

North Carolina earned failing grades on child mental health, school health, housing and economic security, and birth outcomes. The state is making progress in other areas, including preconception health and maternal health support, and addiction. The grades were issued in the state’s 2023 Child Health Report Card, a biannual report published by NC Child and the NC Institute of Medicine.

The report, “NC Child Health Report Card," presents 15 key indicators of child health. It tracks children’s mental well-being with three indicators related to adolescent suicide attempts, the prevalence of major depressive episodes (MDE), and MDE treatment . . .