Mental Health Resources for Kids and Teens
Get Immediate Help
If your child faces a mental health emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You can also reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline by calling 988 or chat with counselors by texting the word "CONNECT" to 741741.
A guide for parents
Mental health disorders in children are on the rise. In fact, up to 1 in 5 children in the U.S. experience a mental, behavioral or developmental health disorder. The most common disorders among children include:
Behavioral disorders such as oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder
Facts and statistics
Find the right care for your child
Children's Health℠ has been increasing access to care in recent years for children facing mental health challenges through our numerous programs and by embedding specialists in community pediatric practices.
If you notice any signs of depression or anxiety in your child or teen, schedule a mental health evaluation. Children often benefit from therapy when managing stress, sadness and grief. Explore these resources to find the right care for your child:
“Good mental health is really about creating, encouraging and using everyday healthy habits – like sharing and acknowledging feelings, correcting unhealthy and unhelpful thinking, showing empathy and building resiliency.”
Nicholas J. Westers, Psy.D., ABPP
Pediatric Psychologist at Children's Health and Associate Professor at UT Southwestern
