This information is available as a brochure.  Contact CSAC, or download Youth_and_Family_brochure.pdf, and print on legal-sized paper. Warning Signs How can we help you? How are these services paid for? It’s easy for parents to recognize that their child has a high fever. Children’s mental health problems may be more difficult to identify. Mental health problems can’t be seen, but the symptoms can be recognized.  Mental health is how we think, feel and act in order to face life’s situations. It is how we look at ourselves, our lives, and the people we know and care about. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, evaluate our options, and make choices.  Like physical health, mental health is important at every stage of life.  Many children have mental health problems. Preliminary studies suggest that, at any given time, at least 1 in 5 children may have a behavioral, emotional or mental health problem. At least 1 in 20 children—or as many as 3 million young people nationwide—may have a serious emotional disturbance that severely disrupts his or her ability  to function. Without help, these problems can lead to school failure, alcohol or other drug abuse, family discord, violence or even suicide.  Tragically, an estimated two-thirds of all young people with mental health problems are not getting the help they need.  We don’t know all the causes of mental health problems in young people. We do know that both environment and biology can be involved. Examples of biological causes are genetics, chemical imbalances and damage to the central nervous system.  Many environmental factors can put children at risk. For example, children who are exposed to violence, abuse, neglect, lead poisoning or loss of loved ones through death, divorce, or broken relationships are more at risk for mental health problems. Other risk factors include rejection because of race, sexual orientation, religion or poverty. A variety of signs may point to a possible mental health problem in a child or teenager. Some of them are listed below. Pay attention if a child you know: Is troubled by feeling: Really sad and hopeless without good reason and the feelings don’t go away; Very angry most of the time, cries a lot, or overreacts to things; Worthless or guilty a lot; Anxious or worried a lot more than other young people; Grief for a long time after a loss or death; Extremely fearful—has unexplained fears or more fears than most kids; Constantly concerned about physical problems or appearance; Frightened that his or her mind is controlled or is out of control; Experiences big changes, for example: Does much worse in school; Loses interest in things usually enjoyed; Has unexplained changes in sleeping or eating habits; Avoids friends or family and wants to be alone all the time; daydreams too much and can’t get things done; Feels life is too hard to handle or talks about suicide; Hears voices that cannot be explained. Is limited by: Poor concentration; can’t make decisions; Inability to sit still or focus attention; Worry about being harmed, hurting others, or about doing something “bad”; The need to wash, clean things, or perform certain routines dozens of times a day; Thoughts that race almost too fast to follow; Persistent nightmares Behaves in ways that cause problems, for example: Uses alcohol or other drugs; Eats large amounts of food and then forces vomiting, abuses laxatives or takes enemas to avoid weight gain; Continues to diet or exercise obsessively although bone-thin; Often hurts other people or animals; destroys property or breaks the law; Does things that can be life threatening. How can we help you? Call 388-6751 to set up and appointment with our Youth and Family intake clinicians in Middlebury. Our intake clinicians will meet with you and your child to collect information about the challenges you are facing. You will be referred to one of our programs that best meets your child’s and family’s needs.   How are these services paid for? Medicaid will cover the majority of services listed. Private insurance will cover office-based therapy. There is a sliding fee scale for those with no insurance. Phone: 802-388-6751 Fax: 802-388-3108

Page Updated:  Friday May 05, 2006