Mental Health Help for Kids in NYC

Accessing Mental Health Help for Kids in NYC

Mental Health Help for Kids in NYC

Are you concerned about your child’s mental health? Good mental health is crucial for children; it affects how they think, feel, and behave, and it can also shape how they interact with others and whether or not they make healthy choices. In recent years, we have become much more aware of the role mental health plays in overall wellbeing, and experts emphasize that early treatment can be key. There are two common mental illnesses that affect children and teens:

Anxiety. We live in an anxious age, and children today are coping with numerous stressors, including climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, school shootings, and other world events, as well as whatever particular challenges their own families are experiencing. The Centers for Disease Control reports recent statistics showing that 9.4% of American children between the ages of 3–17 have been diagnosed with anxiety. That translates to approximately 5.8 million US children—and some estimates place the percentage of teens between 13–18 with an anxiety disorder as high as 33% .

Depression. Depression often goes hand-in-hand with anxiety, and 4.4% of children between the ages of 3–17 have been diagnosed with depression (approximately 2.7 million US children.) In adolescents, depression often leads to substance abuse and suicidal ideation.

If you suspect that your child may be suffering from anxiety and/or depression, it’s important to have them evaluated and treated as soon as possible. Children usually respond well to talk therapy alone, or a combination of talk therapy and medication. However, mental health services are currently in high demand, and you may be finding it difficult to get your child in to see a professional.

Online Psychiatrists

One option that you may want to explore is online therapy. Studies have shown that cognitive-behavioral therapy can be just as effective in an online setting as it is in person. For children and teens, an online session may actually be preferable. Many young people feel uncomfortable about going to a therapist’s office and sitting among strangers while waiting for their name to be called. Some are self-conscious about needing therapy; others experience social anxiety. Allowing them to meet with a psychiatrist online, in the privacy of their own home, can make them feel less vulnerable, which can lead to more open communication.

If you do opt for online counseling, make sure to choose a company such as Skypiatrist , which offers:

Licensed and experienced psychiatrists
Evaluation, talk therapy, and psychiatric medication management
A confidential, HIPAA-approved video chat app
In-network doctors and therapists for various insurance plans and Medicare
Continuity of treatment with the same psychiatrist each visit
Appointments usually available within a few days

You can also support your child’s therapy by helping them to create a special place where they talk to their psychiatrist. Depending on the age of your child, this might include arranging some stuffed animals, putting up a privacy curtain, or providing special snacks that they only get during appointment times.