The treatment of young people with mental health issues may consist of services such as psychotherapy with an evidence-based practice. Other practices that have been proven to work, such as peer mentoring, care coordination, medication, or a combination of all three, depend on the needs and choices of the youth and his or her family, and the diagnosis and severity of the problem. The family and youth need to be involved in the planning and implementation process from the beginning of the treatment since the context the youth lives in is extremely important in helping determine his or her treatment.

In the United States, 75 to 80 percent of children and youth in need of mental health services do not receive them.¹ This can be for a variety of reasons, including discrimination and negative attitudes attached to seeking help for mental health issues, cultural beliefs and practices, access to services/supports, availability of providers, not knowing where to start, or confusion about who to see and what advice to take.

If a youth has a constellation of risk factors and observable behaviors mentioned above, it is important to seek assistance for the young person and his or her family. If a family member or friend is concerned, discussing the issue with another family member, friend, spiritual counselor, family pediatrician, or primary doctor could be helpful. Signs and behaviors to look for include, among others:

• Marked fall in school performance
• Poor grades in school despite trying very hard
• Severe worry or anxiety, as shown by regular refusal to go to school, go to sleep or take part in activities that are normal for the child's age
• Frequent physical complaints
• Marked changes in sleeping and/or eating habits
• Extreme difficulties in concentrating that get in the way at school or at home
• Sexual acting out
• Depression shown by sustained, prolonged negative mood and attitude, often accompanied by poor appetite, difficulty sleeping or thoughts of death
• Severe mood swings
• Strong worries or anxieties that get in the way of daily life, such as at school or socializing
• Repeated use of alcohol and/or drugs²

Sometimes there is confusion about the definitions and roles of the various behavioral health disciplines such as the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist. The Child Health & Development Institute of Connecticut has provided a short guide describing the differences.

There are many questions that parents and caregivers can ask when seeking help for their child or youth with behavioral health challenges. Examples include:

• What is your experience in working with children with issues like the ones my child has?
• What is your approach or philosophy?
• Are you aware of effective treatments for my child’s issues?
• How involved will I be in treatment and how will you keep me informed of my child's progress?
• Will I be involved in helping to set goals for treatment?
• How will I know if my child is getting better?
• How long does treatment typically take and how will I know when my child has finished treatment?
• What should I do if I have a crisis between treatment sessions or I need immediate help?
• What should I be doing at home to help support my child’s treatment? ³

There are also guides to assist families in making informed choices about treatment for their child or youth such as the SAMHSA Family Guide to Systems of Care for Children With Mental Health Needs which is available in both English and Spanish.

Additionally, there are a variety of avenues through which to seek help. SAMHSA has a mental health services locator which provides a searchable map containing comprehensive information about mental health services and resources across the country. Additional services can be found through exploring the following:⁴

• National advocacy organizations (e.g., National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health, Mental Health America, or the National Alliance on Mental Illness)
• National professional organizations (e.g., American Psychological Association, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Psychiatric Association, National Association of Social Workers)
• Employee Assistance Program through your employer
• Local psychological association, medical society, or psychiatric society
• State mental health directors
• County mental health department
• Local hospitals or medical centers with psychological/psychiatric services
• Departments of psychology or psychiatry in nearby universities or medical schools

Systems of care, a framework for collaboration, can help to facilitate coordination of services and supports for young people with mental heal needs and their families.⁵ Learn more about coordinating systems to support youth with mental health needs, particularly those transitioning to adulthood at the Technical Assistance Partnership website.

Resources

Mental Health Services Locator
This Locator, developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, provides comprehensive information about mental health services and resources and is useful for professionals, consumers and their families, and the public. Search by state, zip code, and service type to find resources available in your area.

Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General
This Report of the Surgeon General on Mental Health is the product of a collaboration between two federal agencies, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the National Institutes of Health. The report provides an overview of mental health as well as a section targeted at children’s mental health. Sections of this report include information on interventions and service delivery.