Child Mental Health

Child Mental Health

More foster care stats…

https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/138/5/e20161118

Mental Health Warning Signs in Infants & Toddlers

Mental Health Warning Signs in older children

Mood changes. Look for feelings of sadness or withdrawal that last at least two weeks or severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships at home or school.

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Intense feelings. Be aware of feelings of overwhelming fear for no reason — sometimes with a racing heart or fast breathing — or worries or fears intense enough to interfere with daily activities.

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Behavior changes. These include drastic changes in behavior or personality, as well as dangerous or out-of-control behavior. Fighting frequently, using weapons and expressing a desire to badly hurt others also are warning signs.

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Difficulty concentrating. Look for signs of trouble focusing or sitting still, both of which might lead to poor performance in school.

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Mental Health Warning Signs in older children

Unexplained weight loss. A sudden loss of appetite, frequent vomiting or use of laxatives might indicate an eating disorder.

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Physical symptoms. Compared with adults, children with a mental health condition might develop headaches and stomachaches rather than sadness or anxiety.

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Physical harm. Sometimes a mental health condition leads to self-injury, also called self-harm. This is the act of deliberately harming your own body, such as cutting or burning yourself. Children with a mental health condition also might develop suicidal thoughts or attempt suicide.

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Substance abuse. Some kids use drugs or alcohol to try to cope with their feelings.

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What to do…

• Talk to your supervisor and your social worker about your concerns
• We cannot diagnose, but we can request that a referral for an assessment and treatment
• If the social worker is unwilling, talk to your supervisor…we can always for a motion for assessment and services if need be.
• Alert others of your concern in the child’s professional team:
• Discuss your concerns/observations with the child’s doctor, therapist, school counselor, etc.
• Consider requesting a Foster Care Assessment Program (FCAP) assessment from your SW
• Referrals to FCAP may involve:�
• Children with an incomplete diagnostic picture for whom additional assessment could assist in the planning for treatment and permanency;
• Children with physical, emotional or mental health needs that have created barriers to permanency planning;��And many more! (https://depts.washington.edu/hcsats/FCAP/clients.html)

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A note about medications…

• Nationwide, 1 in 4 children in foster care are taking at least one psychotropic* medication- more than 4x the rate for all children.
• �While medications can have many positive effects for youth, please advocate that any child on (or who may be placed on) medications:�
• also be enrolled in therapy�
• get a second opinion: RCW 74.09.490(4) – “Within existing funds, the authority shall require a second opinion review from an expert in psychiatry for all prescriptions of one or more antipsychotic medications of all children under eighteen years of age in the foster care system. Thirty days of a prescription medication may be dispensed pending the second opinion review. The second opinion feedback must include discussion of the psychosocial interventions that have been or will be offered to the child and caretaker if appropriate in order to address the behavioral issues brought to the attention of the prescribing physician.”�
• do not confuse “better behavior” with better outcomes

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*Psychotropic medications include antipsychotics, SSRIs, MAOIs, tricyclics, anti-panic agents, mood stabilizers, anti-anxiety, stimulants for ADHD. For a more comprehensive list, visit https://www.healthpartners.com/ucm/groups/public/@hp/@public/documents/documents/entry_194823.pdf