Childhood Mental Health Information

Counseling, whether it is tried alone, or is combined with medication, is often an important part of treating most mental health problems.

It is usually expected that all children will experience some fear or anxiety from time to time. That makes it important to learn the symptoms of a true anxiety disorder, so that you know when normal worries and fears have turned into a more serious condition for which you should get your child some help.

Whether caused by the loss of a friend or loved one, a recent move, being teased or bullied, difficulties at home, or problems at school, childhood stress can lead to behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, headaches, drug use, and insomnia, among many other symptoms and medical problems.

Review the symptoms and treatments for children with conduct disorder, who might be very aggressive and destructive.

Cutting is a type of self-harm behavior in which teens deliberately cut or scratch themselves with a knife, razor blade, or other sharp object, but not with any intention of trying to commit suicide. Learn how to recognize signs of cutting and about common treatments.

Review why a child might be touching other children a lot, including have ADHD or Sensory Integration Disorder.

Facts for Families from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, on such topics as understanding your mental health insurance to where to find help when you are concerned that your child may have a mental health problem.

Discusses the risks and benefits of medicating kids with drugs like Adderall XR, Concerta and Prozac.

Online mental health resources on a variety of subjects, including anxiety, depression and medications.

Parenting and mental health resources from the New York University Child Study Center.

The AACAP web site, with Facts for Families about common disorders in children and adolescents, including ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and suicide. Plus information on medications used to treat childhood psychiatric disorders.

Links to federal agencies, Children’s Mental Health and Advocacy Organizations, Foundations Focusing on Children, Professional Organizations, and Academic Centers Focusing on Children’s Mental Health from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill to help you find support for your child with a mental illness.

A professional association for marriage and family therapy with information on problems facing today's families and how to find a therapist in your area.

News, message boards,chat and a list of support groups for people with anxiety disorders, plus the ADAA Report on Childhood Anxiety Disorders.

Learn more about bipolar disorder, with a Learning Center including an informative article about early onset bipolar disorder, a reference center with full text journal articles and a community center.

Information from the National Institute of Mental Health, including topics ranging from ADHD and autism to depression and learning disabilities. Includes full text NIMH booklets and links to clinical trials.

The Surgeon Generals report on children's mental health, which concluded that 'the nation is facing a public crisis in mental health for children and adolescents.'

Information on how to choose a mental health professional, such as a counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist, and when you should seek help, including your child have a change in eating and appetite, sleeping, school work, activity level and mood.

An annotated directory of mental health resources, with links to sites dealing with anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders and other resources for parents and children.

State by state guide to mental health resources in your community.

The consumer website for the American Psychiatric Association, with tips on traveling with children, summer camps, starting school, and information on teen depression, and other common childhood psychiatric disorders.

Mental health practice guidelines for child welfare from the REACH Institute, Casey Family Programs, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.