Parents Guide to Children's Mental Health
Parents Guide to Children's Mental Health
Finding someone to take care of your child’s mental health is just as important as finding someone to take care of their physical well-being. If your child has a broken bone, you take them to an emergency room. But what if they are in an emotional crisis? Where do you go?
Finding Mental Health Help for Your Child or Teen
A common complaint that we hear from parents is that they are frustrated with the complexity of the children’s mental healthcare system and the process of navigating it. To help solve this problem, we have researched and produced this “how-to” guide for parents on children’s mental health issues.
This guide is not meant to diagnose your child. It is meant to be a one-stop resource for all parents—from those who simply have questions about common children’s mental health problems, such as ADHD, low self-esteem, or depression, to those who are looking for advocacy organizations and support groups to help them with difficult issues concerning their child’s diagnosis. The information is written for parents, but it is our hope that family members, community organizations, schools, and healthcare providers will also find it useful.
It is our sincere wish that this will help children and their families find the answers they need about mental healthcare and enable them to better access and use the children’s mental healthcare system, which can be complex and confusing. Navigating through it can be difficult, time consuming, and stressful. We can help.
Get Help Navigating the Mental Healthcare System
The guide's sections are arranged to follow the steps a parent would take to get help for their child—from the first moment you notice something is “not quite right,” to the options for paying for mental healthcare, and every step in between.
Of course, every parent, child, and situation is different and will enter the mental healthcare system at a different point. Because of this, the guide has cross-links that refer you to other pages for more information or next steps. So no matter where you start in the process, you will be able to find the information you need.
Helpful Definitions
Definition of "Parent"
This guide uses the term “parent” to describe any person who nurtures and raises a child. A parent could to a biological parent, an adoptive parent, a foster parent, a grandparent, an uncle or aunt, a sister or brother, or any other caregiver or guardian.
Definition of "Child" or "Children"
The guide also uses the terms “child” or “children” to describe a child or children, birth to age 21. However, in certain sections, the guide uses more specific terms to describe when something might occur in a child’s life. These terms include:
- Infants: birth to age one
- Toddlers (or toddlerhood): ages one to three
- Younger children (or early childhood): birth to age five
- Older children: ages 6 to 12
- Adolescents (or adolescence): ages 13 to 21
Index
How to Find Help for Your Child (Interactive Assessment Tool)
An assessment tool to help you learn how the children's mental healthcare system works.
Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Issues
Mental health issues are usually put into different categories based on similar signs and symptoms. Start with this section if you notice specific signs or symptoms in your child, but are not sure what they may mean.
Talking to Your Child’s Pediatrician
Not sure who to turn to first? Your child’s pediatrician is an excellent place to start. Turn to this section for more information about the role of your child’s pediatrician in the mental healthcare system.
Mental Health Evaluations
Mental healthcare providers use a variety of tools when looking at a child’s mental health. Use this section to learn more about the different types of evaluations, so you can know what to expect.
Common Mental Health Diagnoses
This section describes the most common mental illnesses diagnosed in children. Each diagnosis provides typical signs and symptoms, diagnosis information, possible treatment options, and helpful resources.
Mental Health Support
Caring for a child with a mental health issue requires a lot of work. In this section, learn more about the different parts of the mental healthcare system and how you and your support team can work with them.
Mental Health Treatment
A variety of different types of treatment are available for children with mental health issues. This section will provide some general information about the different treatment options.
Paying for Mental Healthcare
Understanding healthcare coverage can be confusing. Use this section to learn more about the different types of healthcare coverage and where to find additional resources when services are not covered.
Emergencies and crisis situations happen and sometimes cannot be avoided. Crisis situations are filled with high levels of stress, anxiety, and fear. You need to remain calm. Your child needs you and your support right now.
If you are still unsure of what to do, call 911.
About This Guide
The information on this site came from a number of sources, including the Parents Guide to Children's Mental Health, a printed resource originally produced by Bradley Hospital in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Health and Hasbro Children's Fund. Content has been reviewed, updated and further developed by pediatric mental health providers at Bradley Hospital.