The mental health needs of many Georgia children are not being addressed, primarily because of a lack of professionals to treat them, according to a report released Monday.
The report from Voices for Georgia’s Children cites a “severe shortage’’ of child and adolescent psychiatrists statewide. It also reported that 76 of the state’s 159 counties do not have a licensed psychologist in 2015, and that 52 counties did not have a licensed social worker.
The shortage of qualified mental health providers is statewide, but “is exacerbated outside of metro Atlanta and in rural areas,’’ said Erica Sitkoff, executive director of Voices for Georgia’s Children, an advocacy group.
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