Reports lays out key findings on Utah’s early childhood mental health system Michael Goldberg | Dec 16, 2020 Share this: A recent Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute study outlines key findings regarding early childhood mental health in Utah. Based on a range of estimates from national studies, the issue has significant material implications for Utah’s children. According to data compiled in the study, 10-20% of Utah’s 458,000 children between the ages of 0‒8 could experience mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral challenges. A 2019 study shows Utah is among a group of states that has the highest prevalence of mental health disorders in youth age 6‒17, and is also among a group of states that has the highest prevalence of youth with untreated mental health needs.