Mental Health problems are very common in children, just as they are in adults! These problems can manifest themselves in many ways in a child, including both emotional problems as well as in various physical complaints. If you feel your child might have a problem related to his mental health, mention it to his doctor.
The Pediatric Symptom Checklist is a screening questionnaire that is used to identify the primary emotional issues your child may be facing. This is not a diagnostic test, and should not take the place of a physician's evaluation of your child for any mental health issues or problems. However, if your child's physician asks you to complete this checklist, you may download it from the following link and bring it to your child's appointment to expedite her evaluation:
GENERAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
These web resources has helpful information about the majority of childhood mental health issues, including those specific problem areas listed in the following sections.
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Mental Health America
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- American Psychological Association
- Center for Mental Health Services
- American Psychiatric Association
-
A.P.A. Directory of Advocacy & Support Groups for Mental Health Disorders
- National Library of Medicine's Child Mental Health Resources page
- National Institutes of Mental Health
- State of California Dept. of Mental Health
- California Institute for Mental Health
- UCLA Center on Mental Health in the Schools
ANXIETY DISORDERS
- Anxiety Disorders Association of America
- National Library of Medicine Anxiety Resources
- Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation
- National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR DISORDERS
AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE ISSUES
- Family Violence Prevention Fund
- National Council on Crime and Delinquency
- National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center
BULLYING
- Health Resources and Services Administration Bullying site
- National Crime Prevention Council
- The International Bullying Prevention Association
EATING DISORDERS
- Academy for Eating Disorders
- American Anorexia Bulimia Association
- Eating Disorders Prevention and Awareness
- National Association of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders
