Children’s mental health is an important part of their overall well-being, and can affect everything from their mood and behavior to their physical health.
At Pediatrics West, your child’s mental health is important to us. We routinely assess for behavioral health concerns at your child’s well visit, but if you have specific concerns, you can always call to schedule an appointment with your provider to discuss patient needs and establish a plan.
Our medical providers assess, diagnose, and treat most routine cases of depression, anxiety, ADHD, and autism, and work closely with you, your child, and our on-staff therapist to determine the right level of care and treatment.
We have an Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) Program and a Referrals Program to address the mental health needs of our patients.
Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) Program
We have an on-staff therapist, Jessica Glass, who provides short-term individual counseling for patients ages 5 years and older and offers parent-based sessions for younger patients on a case-by-case basis. If you have medication management needs in addition to counseling, we can schedule both appointments back-to-back on the same day.
For patients with longer-term or more specialized needs, our on-staff therapist will provide mental health support as we work as a team to connect your child to the care they need.
Referrals Program
Some patients require specialized care to treat their mental health, just like some patients need a specialist to help manage their asthma. At Pediatrics West, we have worked hard to build partnerships with community mental health providers to help your child access this specialty care.
Patients of all ages and their families can access individual and family counseling via a referral to a clinician from the Jefferson Center for Mental health who works on-site at both of our office locations. We can also refer to other community-based partners or intensive programs as needed.
How To Take Part in Pediatrics West’s Behavioral Health Programs
If you have a child who is struggling with their mental or behavioral health, your first step is to schedule a visit with your medical provider at Pediatrics West. A parent must accompany their child for the initial visit, and for patients under age 12 years old a parent must be present at all mental health visits. Telehealth options are available.
At your appointment, we will screen your child to determine if the Integrated Behavioral Health program is right for them. If our program meets your child’s needs, our on-staff therapist will instruct you to schedule your child’s follow-up before you leave the office. If the team determines your child would benefit from seeing an outside mental health provider, our on-staff therapist will help connect your child with the appropriate level of care to meet their needs.
Mental Health Service
Mental health needs that we can help address include:
- Anxiety
- Depression and mood disorders
- Behavioral issues
- Behavior support for ADHD
- Trauma Recovery
- Grief and Loss
- Adjustment concerns related to stress or changes in family life
- Parent-child discord and family conflict
Depression
Depression can affect teens and children of all ages. While it’s normal for all of us to have feelings of sadness, clinical depression is a medical condition that requires immediate treatment. If you’ve noticed several of the changes or behaviors below that occur regularly, they can be flags for depression, and you should call us immediately to schedule a mental health consultation:
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Weeping or excessive moodiness
- Changes in weight or eating habits
- Expressions of hopelessness or low self esteem
- Not enjoying the things that used to make them happy
- Not wanting to be with friends or family
- Aches and pains when nothing is really wrong
- Trouble focusing or a drop in school grades
- Thoughts of death or suicidie or self mutilation
- Lack of energy or being unable to do simple tasks
- Paranoia or excessive secrecy
Suicide & Suicide Prevention
Suicide is the second most common cause of death among young people between the ages of 10 and 24.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there are several factors that put children and teens at higher risk of suicide. These include:
- Previous suicide attempts
- A family history of suicide
- Sexual orientation
- Depression or other psychiatric illnesses
- Use of alcohol and other substances
- Behavior problems
- Local epidemics of suicide
- Easy access to guns or other lethal methods
- Being a target of bullying or cyberbullying
Parents can help prevent suicide by being aware of the common risk factors listed above and by taking action:
- Watch for beginning signs of depression or anxiety
- Take threats of suicide seriously
- If you’re concerned, seek professional help, either by contacting our office for a mental health consultation or by contacting the crisis services listed below if you’re in immediate need of help
- Share your own feelings and let them know they aren’t alone
- Encourage your child to be around friends and family
- Encourage exercise
- Encourage your child not to demand too much of themselves
- If you keep guns at home, store them safely or move all firearms elsewhere
Crisis Services
If you or your child is in crisis and need immediate help, Colorado Crisis Services can help. This free service is provided by the state and can help with mental health, substance abuse, or emotional concerns. You can call their toll free number at 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255 to speak to a trained professional.
They also have walk-in locations, many of which are open 24/7, that offer free confidential, in-person crisis support, information and referrals to anyone in need. They have locations throughout the state, including a location in Littleton and a location in Wheat Ridge. For more information, visit https://coloradocrisisservices.org.
Meet Your Support Team
Our team of highly trained Mental Health Counselors is here to help…
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