If you suspect that a child is depressed, the next step is seeking professional help in obtaining a diagnosis and treatment. I recommend taking a look at "Facts for Families", which is a set of publications from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) that discuss various issues relating to childhood mental illness. I am including links to those which are relevant to this topic here, but highly recommend taking a look at the full list of topics because they cover a wide variety of useful information. After reading these publications, you should have a good idea about what you need to do to find help.
- Fact #24 - Know When to Seek Help - Parents are often the first to pick up on signs that a child needs help.
- Fact #25 - Knowing Where to Find Help - Think your child needs help, but you're not sure where to find it? Helpful advice about locating a child and adolescent psychiatrist.
- Fact #52 - Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation - Evaluation by a child and adolescent psychiatrist is appropriate for any child or adolescent with emotional or behavioral problems. This brochure explains what to expect during an evaluation.
- Fact #26 - Understanding Your Mental Health Insurance - The costs of treatment and how to pay for it are a very real concern for parents. This brochure explains what questions to ask about your healthcare plan.
