How do I know whether to get seek professional help for my child?

Here are common reasons and behaviors that suggest you may want to seek mental health services from an experienced professional.

Is your child...

• Anxious
• Depressed
• Impulsive and takes unusual risks
• Extremely attention-seeking in behavior
• Having difficulty concentrating and seems distracted
• Experiencing loss of a parent, grandparent or other significant person
• Behaving differently than usual

If the following behaviors are present, get immediate professional attention:

• Fire setting
• Suicide threats or attempts
• A victim of physical or sexual abuse
• Hurting other people
• Destruction of property
• Self-destructive
• Cruelty to animals
• Substance abuse in conjunction with other mental health concerns

For help in Clark County, Washington call Children's Center (360) 699-2244 for more information

Or Network of care which has links to resources around the county.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health

Send mail to jevanw@thechildrenscenter.org with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: December 31, 2007