How to Find Help for Your Child

How to Find Help for Your Child

Find the assistance you need for your child if you think they may have a mental health issue.

Is Your Child in Crisis?

If your child is in crisis, it means they are at high risk of causing harm to self or others or are completely not able to function. 

If you believe your child is in crisis, seek help immediately 

If Your Child Is Not in Crisis

Although your child is not in crisis, are you still concerned about your child’s behavior or emotions?

Observe

Observe how your child is behaving and write down what you notice and when you notice it. Learn more about signs and symptoms of mental health issues.

Make an appointment

Make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician. Learn more about talking to your child's pediatrician.

Contact

Contact your child’s school to let them know you are concerned about your child’s mental health.

After meeting with your child, does your child’s pediatrician think the signs or symptoms are a part of normal child development?

Get your child evaluated. Learn more about mental health evaluations.

Was your child diagnosed with a mental illness?
Still unsure that your child's symptoms are a part of normal child development?

Expand your parenting knowledge and skills.

Learn more about mental health support.

Learn about your child’s diagnosis

Learn more about common mental health diagnoses.

Get the support you and your child need

This may involve working with mental health specialists, hospitals or health centers, early childhood programs or your child’s school, state agencies, community and non-profit organizations, health insurance care managers, or all or some of the above. Learn more about mental health support.

Follow through with the suggested treatment

Learn more about mental health treatment.

Learn about paying for mental healthcare

Work with your insurance provider and other state programs to pay for your child’s care. Learn more about paying for mental healthcare.

With treatment, do you see an improvement in your child?

Remember, it can take time before you see a change. Be patient. Talk to your child’s mental healthcare providers about your concerns and any symptoms that continue. Collaborate with them on a revised treatment plan.

With a revised treatment plan, do you see an improvement in your child?

Continue treatment and follow the recommendations of your child's mental healthcare provider.

Talk with your child’s pediatrician about your options. Consider an evaluation by a mental health specialist or consider a second opinion.

Keep talking to your child’s mental healthcare providers. Take a look at other treatment options. Also, consider a second opinion.

Bradley Hospital