Treatment Centers

It’s difficult enough these days to raise children when they’re perfectly healthy. What happens when you learn your child has a mental illness? How are you supposed to care for your child and cope with this situation? Here are some strategies and tips that may help.

How Many Children Are Affected?

Estimates vary, but by all accounts, the number of children with mental illness in America is large and widespread, making it a serious problem for all concerned.

• Mental Health America says that one in five children has a diagnosable mental health problem, but nearly two-thirds of these children get little or no help for it.

• The U.S. Surgeon General reports that 10 percent of children and adolescents in America have serious emotional and mental disorders that result in significant functional impairment in their day-to-day lives.

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), four of the 10 leading causes of disability in the U.S. and other developed countries are mental disorders and, further, that by 2020, major depressive disorder will be leading cause of disability in the world for women and children.

When To Seek Professional Help

It’s tough to admit that your child may have a problem, but you need to know when you should seek professional treatment for a child that’s having obvious emotional problems. As the parent, you are in the best position to notice any dramatic changes in your child’s behavior or emotions. You feel it in your gut when something’s off. And you know when something needs to be done – even if you don’t know what that might be. It’s time to seek help.

Left untreated, your child’s functioning can be disrupted at home, at school and the community, and he or she can be at increased risk for failing at school, dependence on social services, contact with the criminal justice system, and suicide. Here are some signs to watch out for, which may – or may not – mean your child needs professional help:

• Aggressiveness and disobedience that becomes chronic

• Anxiety or worry that remains constant

• Failing grades despite effort to correct the situation

• Decline in school performance

• Depression, sadness, irritability

• Fidgeting and hyperactivity

• Persistent nightmares

• Refusing to go to school or to take part in normal school activities

• Temper tantrums that frequently occur

What To Do

The earlier you get an accurate identification and diagnosis, the faster a comprehensive treatment plan can be developed to help your child – if, in fact, he or she has a mental illness.

When you go for an evaluation, here’s what to expect. The evaluation may include psychological testing, a consultation with a child psychiatrist, and some medical tests in order to rule out the presence of a physical condition that might be causing or contributing to the emotional and behavioral problems your child is exhibiting.

In terms of the comprehensive treatment plan, every child with a mental illness is different. A treatment regimen will be tailored to the specific needs of your child, and will be developed with input from the family and, if the child is old enough to comprehend the discussions, will involve his or her input as well. The treatment program may include medications to calm anxiety, reduce depression, and help with sleeplessness, agitation or other symptoms. It most likely will include psychotherapy for your child on a one-to-one basis and, possibly, group counseling.

Types of Mental Illness

Support, education, and advocacy efforts are at the heart of the mission of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Research is ongoing and many new and effective treatments are being discovered and implemented for mental illnesses. Check out the NAMI website (http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness)for more in-depth information on various mental illnesses, including: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Dissociative Disorders, Dual Diagnosis and Integrated Treatment of Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Disorder, Eating Disorders, Major Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Schizoaffective Disorder, Schizophrenia, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Suicide, and Tourette’s Syndrome.

Listings include such information as a description of the mental illness, symptoms, causes, treatment, medications, possible side effects of medications, and more. Some mental illnesses include statistics, brochures, Q&A, discussion boards and other helpful information.

Types of Treatment

Other than medications, psychosocial treatment may be recommended. These therapies are known as talk therapy or behavior therapy. Their purpose is to help people with mental illness change. They are also beneficial in teaching parents and children effective coping strategies.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – This is one type of psychotherapy that may be useful with children. It has been widely studied and is effective in dealing with a number of different conditions, including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety, and others. CBT helps patients learn to change unhealthy behaviors and distorted thinking patterns. Children can receive this type of psychotherapy with or without their parents, as well as in group settings. Research has shown that CBT is particularly effective in dealing with anxiety disorder in children.

• Behavioral Parent Training – While your child may be in CBT, you may benefit from behavioral parent training. The combination of CBT for your child and behavioral parent training for you and your spouse often is very effective. Be aware, however, that change takes time – especially when your child has been diagnosed with a mental illness.

• Combination of Medication and Therapy – In some cases, a combination of medications (strictly monitored) and various types of therapy offer the best results. Again, it takes time for children to make progress during psychosocial therapy, but they often learn new skills that help them better manage their lives.

Finding Treatment

You want the best treatment for your child with mental illness, but where do you begin? Check out the Mental Health Services Locator (http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/) provided by the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The locator has comprehensive information about mental health services and providers and is available to consumers, their families, professionals, and the public. This includes information on inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment facilities – including affordable treatment – in your community.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has a toll-free information helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time. At the helpline, trained volunteers provide information, referrals, and support to everyone who has questions about, or are affected by, serious mental illness.

Another resource is the Mental Health Division of your local health department. These are state-funded services whose mandate is to help those “priority population criteria” as defined by the state’s mental health department.

Family service agencies such as Catholic Charities, Jewish Social Services, or Family Services may also be of assistance in helping you find treatment for your child with mental illness.

Your family physician or your child’s pediatrician, as well as other local mental health organizations, may be able to give you recommendations for treatment sources.

Which Medications are Prescribed for Childhood Mental Disorders?

Psychotropic medications should only be prescribed for children as part of an overall treatment program. They should not be the only treatment. Psychotropic medications include stimulants, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, anti-psychotics, and mood stabilizers. It is important to note that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the dosages for use in children dependant on their age and weight. Parents should also consult the FDA site (http://www.fda.gov/) for the latest on medication approvals, warnings, and patient information guides.

The National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) has information on its website (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/mental-health-medications/complete-index.shtml) describing the different types of psychotropic medications and a chart that lists the ages for which each medication is approved.

Help Paying for Prescriptions

If your child requires medication on a constant basis, this can be a serious drain on your financial resources. There’s good news, however, as free or low-cost medications are provided by some pharmaceutical companies to low-income individuals and families. There are some requirements, which vary by company. In general, they typically require a doctor’s consent and proof of financial status. You may also need to either have no health insurance or have no prescription benefit on your health insurance plan. The only way to know for sure is to contact the individual pharmaceutical company for the medication(s) your child requires and ask about eligibility requirements.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has a listing (http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Prescription_Drug_Patient_Assistance_Programs.htm) of various drugs by name, pharmaceutical company, and contact phone number. The website also lists the major pharmaceutical companies, mailing address, phone number for general information, and URL for their websites.

Other help for prescription drugs is available through:

• Partnership for Prescription Assistance (http://www.pparx.org/)

• Rx Assist: Accessing Pharmaceutical Patient Assistance Programs (http://www.rxassist.org/)

• Rx Hope (https://www.rxhope.com/)

NAMI Basics Education Program

Navigating the maze of doctors, treatment programs, medications, peer support groups, insurance forms, payment and coverage denials, interacting with your child and other family members, schools, friends and the community can be overwhelming. It often is. You need help just to keep track of things, to determine if you’re on the right course, and to feel whole and well-equipped to provide the best environment, nurturing and leadership for your child with mental illness.

Fortunately, the NAMI has a Basics Education Program that’s a perfect solution to this dilemma. The subhead descriptor of the program is “The fundamentals of caring for you, your family and your child with mental illness.” This is an education program specifically designed for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illness. In addition, the program is taught by trained teachers who are also either the parent or caregivers of individuals who developed mental illness symptoms prior to the age of 13.

The course consists of six classes, each lasting 2-1/2 hours. Classes may be offered for six consecutive weeks or twice a week for three weeks, in order to best accommodate the hectic schedules of parents. NAMI Basics Education Program is currently available in the following 24 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin. To find out more about the program in these states, contact the appropriate state NAMI office (http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=your_local_nami).

Course materials are free to all participants. Some of the topics covered in the course include:

• Introduction to the stages of the family’s emotional reaction to a child’s mental illness, including crisis, shock, anger, denial, grief and acceptance

• Insights into understanding the experience of the child living with mental illness, including how to separate the child you love from the illness that alters their abilities and behavior

• The most current information about Anxiety Disorder, Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD), Bipolar Disorder, Childhood Schizophrenia, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Major Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Substance Abuse Disorders

• Current research related to mental illness biology, and evidence-based, most effective treatment strategies available today, including medications used to treat children and adolescents with mental illness

• Workshops to learn problem-solving, listening, and communication skills

• Examples of strategies that have been found to be helpful in dealing with challenging behaviors in children and adolescents

• Information about the school and mental health systems – the major players in the lives of children and adolescents with mental illness

• Exposure to personal record-keeping systems that are the most effective for parents in their interactions with schools and healthcare systems

• How to plan for crisis management and relapse

• How to locate appropriate support and services in the community for the parents/caregivers

• Information on advocacy initiatives designed to expand and improve services, emphasizing personal advocates for the parents/caregivers and child on an individual basis

Feeling Whole Again

Caring for and coping with your child with mental illness is a full-time job. Of course, you’ll do it with love, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t take a toll on you in the meantime. You need to make and take the time to ensure that you have some respite from all the responsibility. Take part in support groups of other parents of children with mental illness so that you can share effective strategies, interact with other adults, and get the emotional support you so desperately need. Remember that no one is an island. No one has all the answers. No one can or should go it alone.

Involve your spouse or a trusted friend or family member to watch over your child with mental illness while you spend some time at a recreational, educational or fun activity. You need time to devote to your own well being in order that you will be more refreshed and better equipped to tackle the everyday challenges and opportunities with your child.

Often parents of children with mental illness wonder if they’ll ever be whole again, if the home situation will ever be normal, if they’ll feel just like the family next door who doesn’t have a child with mental illness. The good news is that mental illness no longer carries the stigma that it used to. There is also help available and resources and research that are making a huge difference in the lives of parents and their children with mental illness. For some children, there may be marked improvement to the point where they go on to lead normal, productive, happy lives. Others may be able to completely manage their symptoms. Some may need long-term treatment. But there is always hope. New discoveries are occurring at a rapid rate.

Bottom line: Stay healthy, keep a positive attitude, and demonstrate your love as well as your caring for your child with mental illness. That’s not a bad start for feeling whole again, and the results will benefit the entire family.