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, so we provide access to individual and family outpatient counseling services. We refer our patients to a clinician from Jefferson Center for Mental Health who works onsite in our office.
If you have concerns about your child’s behavior, contact your provider at our office to initiate services. A parent must accompany their child for the initial mental health assessment. You’ll complete intake paperwork, discuss patient needs, and establish a mental health care plan.
Our clinicians provide individual therapy, family therapy, and parent support. Patients are initially seen on a weekly or biweekly basis, depending on their level of need.
The Jefferson Center for Mental Health counselor maintains regular communication with your child’s pediatrician to provide continuity of care. Through our partnership with JCMH, clients who are receiving counseling services also have access to additional resources provided by the mental health center including groups, wellness services, and psychiatric care.
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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