Updated April 10, 2026
Blog Highlights
- The trauma experienced by children in care can increase their risk of mental health consequences.
- Clearly identifying the potential mental health issues faced by youth in foster care can help their foster families address those matters.
- Counseling and support uniquely qualified to support youth in foster care can make a huge difference in mental health.
- Having a trauma-informed approach provides a healing environment for children.
Studies show that there is a higher incidence of mental and health issues for children in foster care, with many having an increased risk of ADHD, asthma, and depression. If you are caring for a child in foster care, here’s how you can provide help.
For children and teens in foster care, mental health can be a significant issue. Children in foster care have a higher risk of multiple types of mental health conditions and disorders, including PTSD, depression, panic disorder, or social phobia. High rates of instability, including going through multiple placements in a year, can increase the risk of experiencing these conditions.
Understanding the Root: Trauma in Foster Care
Knowing what the risk factors are will help you get a better idea of what contributes to the condition. By understanding what factors are in play, you know what could be causing the depression. That’s a good first step in finding help for children in foster care.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to the risk of trauma for children and teens in foster care, including:
- Poverty
- Occupational or marital difficulties for the parents
- Poor communication between parents and children
- Aggression or hostile behavior directed at the child by the parent
The CDC uses the ACE scale, which looks at Adverse Childhood Experiences, to determine the likelihood that individuals will suffer long-term effects from childhood trauma. Unfortunately, children and teens in foster care have a significantly higher rate of adverse scores: children with 10 ACEs have a 31% increase in their rate of placement instability.
Identifying Mental Health Needs in Foster Youth
One of the first steps in supporting mental health in youth in foster care is identifying potential problems.
There is no easy fix for mental health struggles; trying to sweep issues under the rug or ignoring the problem will not make it go away. You must take the time to find out what is happening and understand the situation.
While depression is a common mental health issue for these children and teens, there are a number of other potential obstacles, including:
- Anxiety, including social anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from negative treatment or adverse events
- Behavioral issues, including higher rates of anger, misbehavior at school, and even violence
Clearly identifying the issues facing these youth can make it easier to get the specific help they need. Foster parents not only need to be aware of those potential conditions and their increased incidence for children and teens in care, but they also need to familiarize themselves with the signs so they can improve their ability to provide care.
The Critical Role of Counseling Youth in Foster Care
Therapy is a must, and choosing the right therapist is paramount. Experts recommend contacting your school’s guidance counselor, or get a referral from a trusted friend or professional who is familiar with the trauma that is experienced by children in foster care.
However, finding the right counselor can be difficult–especially for youth dealing with trauma. Look for providers who are educated in trauma-informed care and understand the unique needs of youth in foster care. Strive for consistency in treatment: breaks in care or constantly changing providers can interfere with the quality of care and prevent progress.
Trauma-Informed Care
A trauma-informed approach means recognizing that behaviors like aggression, withdrawal, or defiance are often a child’s way of communicating pain. Caregivers can make a meaningful difference by prioritizing safety, consistency, and predictability; routines and calm environments help children’s nervous systems begin to regulate when the world has felt unsafe for so long. Building trust takes time, so meeting children where they are emotionally, rather than where we expect them to be developmentally, is essential. When mental health concerns arise, connecting with professionals who specialize in childhood trauma, such as those trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), can provide both the child and caregiver with the tools needed to heal together.
Beyond Therapy: How Play Supports Mental Health
Children in foster care don’t often have the chance to be kids, with many missing out on having fun or playing simple games. This affects their emotional and behavioral development. By supporting a foster care organization that makes these activities possible for the kids, you can help give them a chance to feel normal.
Image Credit: antoniodiaz/Shutterstock
Mental health isn’t just clinical; it’s also social. Making time to “be a kid” through planned activities, sports, and time to play can build resilience and provide children and teens with the foundation they need to develop skills and attitudes they may not have had previously. Keep in mind that for many children and teens in care, these opportunities must be deliberate. They may not make them on their own, or may need more care and support to achieve their goals. With help from foster parents and other caring adults, however, they can learn to play and connect with peers.
Programs like the AFFCF support for extracurricular activities can prove essential for children and teens in care, since they provide much-needed funding that can support foster parents as they encourage their children to engage in those activities.
How You Can Help Bridge the Gap
Donations to children in foster care aren’t just about providing financial support. Those donations can encourage community and offer the support children and teens need to improve their long-term prognosis. Donate to Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation to discover just how big a difference you can make in the life of a child or teen in care.
Donate
Donations to children in foster care do more than you can imagine. Funding for children in foster care allow children opportunities for fun and play that can ease their depression and anxiety. To learn more about how you can help, donate to a foster care organization like Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation.