Key Takeaways:
Early intervention for children’s mental health challenges can lead to improvements in their home life, school performance, and social relationships.
The first step toward treatment is consulting with the child's primary care provider or a mental health specialist to begin an evaluation.
A mental health professional will design a therapy plan tailored to the needs of the child and family.
Overview:
Seeking help is crucial if you or someone you know is in crisis. Assistance is available by calling or texting 988, or through the 988lifeline.org chat.
A public health approach to children's mental health includes promoting mental well-being for all children, providing preventive care for those at risk, and offering treatment for those with diagnosed conditions.
Childhood mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders can lead to long-term issues that affect the health and well-being of children, families, and entire communities. Early treatment can help children manage challenges at home, school, and in relationships, contributing to healthier development as they grow into adulthood.
Psychological therapy plays a great role in improving mental health. Depending on the severity of the issue, therapy may be combined with medication for effective treatment.
Understanding Therapy: Therapy aims to treat mental health conditions or help children manage their symptoms, enabling them to function better in home, school, and social environments.
For younger children, therapy often involves parents or caregivers. In some cases, therapists may work with just the parents. Older children may meet with a therapist independently, while other therapies might include working with the whole family or key adults in the child's life, such as a teacher.
Parent-focused therapy involves discussions with the therapist about the child's behaviors and emotions. Therapy may include talking, playing, or other activities that help children express their feelings and thoughts. Therapists may also observe interactions between parents and children to offer suggestions for improved responses.
Children's therapy can be individual or group-based, and sometimes a mix of approaches works best for the child.
Evidence-based Therapies:
Behavior Therapy: Behavior therapy focuses on reinforcing positive behaviors while reducing undesirable ones.
Parent training in behavior management is one method used to support positive relationships between parents and children and teach skills for managing behavior.
In schools, teachers can be trained in behavior management techniques to help children in educational settings.
For older children, the therapist may work directly with them to teach coping skills and address mental health concerns, with parents continuing to support the process.
Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT): CBT helps children recognize and change negative or illogical thoughts and emotions, improving behaviors.
The therapist works with the child to understand their feelings and thoughts and explore how these may affect their actions.
CBT often involves both direct work with the child and sessions with parents or caregivers to ensure ongoing support.
Choosing the Right Therapy: Behavior therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy are effective for treating common childhood conditions like anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders.
Behavior Therapy is effective for:
Disruptive behavior disorders like oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Cognitive-Behavior Therapy is suitable for:
Disruptive behavior disorders
Depression
Anxiety disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
For Adolescents: Adolescents may benefit from different therapeutic approaches:
Family therapy can help with disruptive behavior by teaching better communication and conflict resolution.
Interpersonal psychotherapy is effective for adolescents with depression, focusing on managing relationship issues.
Finding Support: Therapy is most successful when it matches the needs of the child and family. Families should identify the specific concerns they want to address before seeking help. When reaching out to mental health providers, they may be asked to describe the issues they're facing.
Referrals for mental health providers can come from various sources, including the child’s school, primary care providers, or health insurance companies. Parents might also seek advice from trusted family and friends.
In some cases, a pediatrician may be the first point of contact. Health conditions like sleep disturbances, hearing issues, or learning difficulties can worsen emotional or behavioral symptoms, so addressing these concerns may be necessary before starting therapy.
Mental health professionals typically conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the most suitable therapy.
For information about finding a pediatrician or enrolling in health programs like Medicaid, CHIP, or the Marketplace, visit HealthyChildren.org or HealthCare.gov. If insurance coverage is unavailable, community health centers offer affordable care options.
