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Things
To Know When Your Child Is Exhibiting Emotional Or Behavioral Problems |
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According to the 1999
Surgeon General’s report on children’s mental
health, 1 in 5 will have signs and symptoms during a year. At any
given time 9 million children have serious emotional problems, but only 1
in 5 will receive treatment. In
MS as many as 78,000 children may need short term mental health
intervention.
Things
To Look For In Your Child
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CHANGES
in sleep, energy, eating habits, school performance, friends
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Worries
that may include refusal to go to school, or go to sleep, or participate
in normal activities
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Nightmares
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Temper
tantrums
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Hyperactivity
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Problems
coping with everyday problems and daily activities
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Increase
in physical complaints
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Sexual
acting out
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Threats
to harm self or others, threats to run away
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Self
injury
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Strange
thoughts or feelings
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Unusual
behaviors
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Talk
With People Who Know You And Your Child
Share
your concerns with your child and with people you know and trust.
Asking for help may be difficult for parents and for children because guilt,
shame, blame, and other intense feelings
may impact on objectivity.
REMEMBER,
you are the best expert on your child and his or her biggest advocate. |
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Where
To Look For Help |
| Your
child’s physician, teacher, or school counselor
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| Employee
Assistance Program
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| Local
Mental Health Association
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| Local
or state Mental Health Department
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| National
Advocacy Organizations
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| National
professional organizations
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| Medical
centers in your area |
If
you know of other families who have used services, ask them. Avoid
relying on Yellow Pages and other advertisements.
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Understanding
Your Mental Health Benefits |
| Is
a referral needed and from whom?
Primary
care physician, Employee Assistance Program . . .
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| Is
there a preferred list or network and are the providers specifically
trained to work with children?
If
they are not then request an exemption.
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| Is
there an annual deductible?
Mental
Health vs. General Medical
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| What
services are covered?
Offices
visits, testing, hospitalization, day treatment, medication, respite
care, what are the cost
to me?
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| What
are the limits or exclusions?
Lifetime
dollar limits, annual number of days limits, Exclusions
- Certain diagnoses,
pre-existing conditions, . . .
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What
is the utilization review process?
Processes used by insurance company
and/or Medicare/Medicaid to review treatment given, appropriateness,
effectiveness, and/or cost effectiveness. This is usually done
by nurses
or social workers known as Case Managers. Usually
emphasizes short term treatment for changing specific behaviors.
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| Does
this plan have a track record in your community? |
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Questions You Should
Ask About Your Child's Treatment |
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| Medication? |
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be ONLY PART
of a comprehensive treatment plan
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| Ongoing
monitoring by a physician is essential
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| Get
a second opinion if you are uncomfortable |
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What
about school? |
| Be
proactive and ask lots of questions at your child's school.
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| If
your child is hospitalized, how will school be addressed?
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| Does your child qualify for special services
such as 504 Assistance or other support?
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| 504
Assistance: Extra tutoring or short term special help that does
not require placement in "Special Ed".
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| IDEA:
A federal law that guarantees every child a free public education in
the least restrictive environment. |
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Resources |
| Mississippi
Families as Allies for Children’s Mental Health: 601-981-1618,
800-833-9671, www.msfaacmh.org
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| Mississippi
Dept of Mental Health Division for Children and Youth:
601-359-1288
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| Mississippi
Dept of Education: 601-359 -3513
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| Mississippi
Dept of Insurance: 601-359-3569
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| Mississippi
Protection and Advocacy System: 601-981-8207 |
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- Written by Cynthia
Undesser, M.D. |
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