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MENTAL HEALTH NEWS TM YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE OF INFORMATION, EDUCATION, ADVOCACY AND RESOURCES FALL 2010 FROM THE LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL NEWS SCENE VOL. 12 NO. 4 Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents By The National Institute or health care provider. Keep in mind that of Mental Health (NIMH) every child is different. Even normal de- velopment, such as when children develop language, motor, and social skills, varies esearch shows that half of all from child to child. Ask if your child lifetime cases of mental illness needs further evaluation by a specialist begin by age 14.1 Scientists are with experience in child behavioral discovering that changes in the problems. Specialists may include psy- Rbody leading to mental illness may start chiatrists, psychologists, social workers, much earlier, before any symptoms appear. psychiatric nurses, and behavioral thera- Through greater understanding of pists. Educators may also help evaluate when and how fast specific areas of chil- your child. dren's brains develop, we are learning If you take your child to a specialist, more about the early stages of a wide ask, "Do you have experience treating the range of mental illnesses that appear later problems I see in my child?" Don't be in life. Helping young children and their afraid to interview more than one special- parents manage difficulties early in life ist to find the right fit. Continue to learn may prevent the development of disor- everything you can about the problem or ders. Once mental illness develops, it diagnosis. The more you learn, the better becomes a regular part of your child's you can work with your child's doctor and behavior and more difficult to treat. Even make decisions that feel right for you, though we know how to treat (though not your child, and your family. yet cure) many disorders, many children with mental illnesses are not getting activity disorder (ADHD), autism spec- A. Talk to your child's doctor or health Q. How do I know if my child's problems treatment. trum disorders, bipolar disorder, depres- care provider. Ask questions and learn are serious? This fact sheet addresses common sion, eating disorders, and schizophrenia. everything you can about the behavior or questions about diagnosis and treatment symptoms that worry you. If your child is A. Not every problem is serious. In fact, options for children with mental illnesses. Q. What should I do if I am concerned in school ask the teacher if your child has many everyday stresses can cause changes Disorders affecting children may include about mental, behavioral, or emotional been showing worrisome changes in be- anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyper- symptoms in my child? havior. Share this with your child's doctor see NIMH on page 40 Kids Do Get Better: Values Driven Inpatient Care By Joseph Commisso, PhD munity based care. The cost of inpatient wrong. You may suspect illicit drug use, attributed to “hormones” (i.e., How do I and David Woodlock, MS care has also been seen as a limiting fac- or even some type of abuse or know what is teenage behavior and what Four Winds Hospital - Saratoga tor in the development of community trauma. Children who are admitted to the is a mental health problem?). Or, “she’s based alternatives. hospital present with a variety of symp- hanging with a different crowd” or “the The truth is that the inpatient level of toms and issues. Particularly during ado- media puts a lot of pressure on kids these n New York State, and across the care has evolved just as mental health care lescence, it is important to identify and days.” It is when the aforementioned country, the story of how mental in general has. During the current empha- clarify symptoms. For instance, an in- symptoms dramatically impede function- health care began begins with inpa- sis in policy circles on Evidenced-Based crease in aggressive acts, volatility in your ing or become dangerous or when other tient care provided in large institu- Practices, it is often said that there is no child’s mood, a noteworthy change in his interventions have proved ineffective, that Itions located in a bucolic rural environ- evidence that inpatient care is effec- or her fearfulness, withdrawal and isola- inpatient care may be necessary. ment. This “humane treatment,” in its day, tive. “Inpatient” is a place and the term tion, feelings of sadness and hopelessness, For the vast majority of those admitted was considered a progressive avant-garde says little or nothing about what occurs or a significant focus on body image and to the hospital, the safety of the child or form of care. For decades this form of there or what kinds of treatments or sup- weight issues are all worthy of attention, those around him has been compro- inpatient care was virtually the only op- ports are offered. At Four Winds Sara- assessment, and often, some type of inter- mised. For those not posing an imminent tion for those with more serious ill- toga we have a great deal of empirical vention. A parent may obtain this infor- safety risk the impact on functioning is so nesses. While well intended, these envi- evidence that brief inpatient treatment can mation from their own experience or by profound that it affects not only the child, ronments were not without their darker be extremely effective in stabilizing acute speaking with their child’s teacher, thera- but family functioning as well. For in- sides as reflected in Ken Kesey’s “One symptoms, interrupting negative spiraling pist, daycare provider, coach, troop leader stance, parents may not be able to main- Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” of behavior and helping adolescents and or any individual who has regular contact tain a steady work schedule due to the In the more modern era, inpatient care their families get “back on track.” with their child and may recognize need for multiple appointments. Or their has often come to be thought of in a very For those experiencing and those wit- changes in functioning. Problem solving child’s problems in school such as poor negative light. Born of historic overuse, nessing the deterioration in a young per- between the parent and child may suffice attendance related to behavioral problems, and too often abuse, the need for inpatient son’s functioning, it can be disconcerting or initiating outpatient counseling may be anxiety, school phobia, or depression have care became reflective of inadequate and in many cases, terrifying. As a par- enough to help resolve these issues. In (either poor quality or not enough) com- ent, one wonders what has gone many cases, these “symptoms” will be see Kids on page 39 PERMIT NO. 137 137 NO. PERMIT Effort, PA 18330 18330 PA Effort, MONROE, CT CT MONROE, 16 Cascade Drive Drive Cascade 16 U.S. POSTAGE PAID PAID POSTAGE U.S. Mental Health News Education, Inc. Inc. Education, News Health Mental ORGANIZATION ORGANIZATION NON PROFIT PROFIT NON PAGE 2 visit our website: www.mhnews.org MENTAL HEALTH NEWS ~ FALL 2010 Mental Health News Education, Inc. Mental Health News Board of Directors Thanks Our Honored Sponsors Platinum Sponsor Chairman Nassau County Department of Mental Health Peter D. Beitchman, DSW, Executive Director Chemical Dependency and Developmental Disabilities The Bridge New York City Department of Mental Hygiene Vice-Chairman New York State Office of Mental Health Barry B. Perlman, MD, Director of Psychiatry Saint Joseph’s Hospital Orange County Department of Mental Health Secretary Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health Peg Moran, LMSW, Senior Vice President F●E●G●S Health and Human Services System Silver Sponsor Treasurer The Bridge Alan Trager, LCSW, Executive Director & CEO Services for the Underserved Westchester Jewish Community Services Members of The Board Help Support Our Nonprofit Mission Constance Y. Brown, MPA, Vice President, Corporate Community Relations Institute for Community Living Become an Honored Sponsor of Mental Health News Education, Inc. Carmen Collado, LCSW, Director of Immigrant and Latino Services Jewish Board of Family & Children’s Services Benefactor Sponsor: $25,000 Alan Eskenazi, MA, CPHQ, Vice President, Quality and Regulatory Affairs Benefactor Sponsors will receive two full page advertisements and article space in 4 quarterly issues of either Mental Health News or Autism Spectrum News. Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers They will also receive multiple bundles of newspapers as needed for distribution to clients, staff, board members, and satellite programs. Donald M. Fitch, MS., Executive Director Platinum Sponsor: $10,000 The Center For Career Freedom Platinum Sponsors will receive one full page advertisement and article space Mary Hanrahan, LCSW, Government Relations Specialist in 4 quarterly issues of either Mental Health News or Autism Spectrum News. New York Presbyterian Hospital They will also receive multiple bundles of newspapers as needed for distribution to clients, staff, board members, and satellite programs. Jorge R. Petit, MD, President Gold Sponsor: $5,000 Quality Healthcare Solutions Group Gold Sponsors will receive one half page advertisement and article space in 4 quarterly issues of either Mental Health News or Autism Spectrum News. Theresa Pirraglia, Co-Founder and Board Member They will also receive several bundles of newspapers for distribution to The Foundation for Educating Children with Autism clients, staff, board members and satellite programs. Silver Sponsor: $2,500 Janet Z. Segal, LCSW, Executive Vice President Four Winds Hospital Silver Sponsors will receive one quarter page advertisement in 4 quarterly issues of either Mental Health News or Autism Spectrum News. They will also receive one Alison Singer, President bundle (50 copies) of newspapers for distribution to clients, staff, board Autism Science Foundation members, and satellite programs. Giselle Stolper, EdM, Executive Director Bronze Sponsor: $1,000 Mental Health Association of New York City Advisor Sponsor: $500 Carolyn Reinach Wolf, Esq Friend Sponsor: $250 Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Greenberg, Formato & Einiger All Sponsors will receive recognition listing on our honor roll page Executive Staff in either Mental Health News or Autism Spectrum News Ira H.