Behavior

Is your child showing mood changes or anxiety? Aggression and trouble in school? Are you worried about your teen’s evasive behavior? The difference between what falls into the normal range of behavior and when a child may be at risk is not always crystal clear. It’s not easy raising children. It’s not easy being a kid either. Take a look at the resources here to find the information that will help you help a child in crisis or at risk.

Emotional and Mental Health

• KidsHealth
  This is the most-visited site on the Web for information about health, behavior, and development from before birth through the teen years. The site provides families with perspective, advice, and comfort on a wide range of physical, emotional, and behavioral issues that affect children and teens. KidsHealth includes sections designed specifically for parents, kids, and teens.
• Mental Illness Facts for Families
  The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry strives to promote an understanding of mental illnesses and remove the stigma associated with them. The site features a series of fact sheets that cover topics such as adoption, anxiety, bullying, daycare, depression, learning disabilities, multiracial children, step families, stress, the teen brain, violence and more. Click here for the alphabetical list of keyword (topics) and then select the link you are interested in.
• Care, Treatment, and Services for Traumatized Children and Adolescents
  The National Child Traumatic Stress Network website includes a resource section for Parents and Caregivers of children who have been exposed to traumatic events, a Get Help Now section, and many useful publications, such as Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Youth High School & College Age, and Staying Safe While Staying Connected, facts and tips for teens regarding “sexting.”
• Helping Children Handle Disaster-Related Anxiety
  Two-page flyer from the National Mental Health Association provides quick tips for how parents can help kids cope with disasters. Provides suggestions for preschoolers, grade schoolers and adolescents.
• Adolescent Health Working Group (AHWG) handouts for teens, parents and caregivers
  AHWG’s website includes a wide variety of  handouts addressing adolescent behavioral and sexual health and confidentiality issues. The site includes both Resources for Youth and Resources for Parents and Caregivers. See these handouts:
  - Myths and Facts about Behavioral Health
  - Dealing with Separation and Divorce (for kids and teens)
• Youth Voice Tip Sheet
  From the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – Tips for child and adolescent psychiatrists on how to better communicate with youth.
• The Storm in my Brain – Kids and Mood Disorders
  From the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance – A book to help children understand the feelings and moods they may be experiencing.

Bullying and Gangs

Substance Abuse