Mental disorders are common in boys and girls of all ages and ethnic/racial backgrounds in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports nearly 20% experience a mental disorder each year. It’s a situation that can be very concerning for parents, but it’s important to understand that these illnesses can be successfully treated and managed.
As parents, you know your child best. The signs that children may need help can include serious changes in how your child learns, speaks or acts, or how they deal with emotions. Common disorders among children include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), Tourette syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you recognize any of the symptoms, it may be time to ask for help.
Early diagnosis and treatment can make all the difference. Without early diagnosis and treatment, a child can have problems, issues at home, in school and in forming friendships. These problems can interfere with a child’s development and last well into adulthood.
There are many treatment options based on what is best for the child. Common treatments include medication, psychotherapy, alternative therapies, brain stimulation therapies or a combination of these treatments.
All of this information can seem daunting to a parent dealing with a crisis situation. That’s why County Rural Offices of Social Services (CROSS Region) helps guide parents in Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Marion, Ringgold and Wayne counties through the process of finding help. Our Child and Adolescent Program Navigator (CAPN) can navigate families through the process.
The CAPN can assist children and families to coordinate services including but not limited to:
- Service Coordination
- Outpatient assessment and evaluation
- Medication prescribing and management
- Early identification and early intervention
- Education services
- Prevention
- Recovery services
For assistance, contact Nick Bush at 515.993.9930 or nick.bush@dallascountyiowa.gov.