Does My Child or Teen Need Emergency Mental Health Intervention?
Children’s Mobile Response May Be the Answer
The emotions that go along with physical distancing, health & safety, adjusting to a new schedule, and overall isolation can cause a build-up of stress, anxiety, or even more serious aggressive behaviors. With so much change over the past month, children and teens may be struggling to adjust and express their emotions during COVID-19.
“If you have a child or teen at home, there are specific signs and behaviors that may be indicators that professional help is needed and quick,” says Lauren Snyder, LPC, ACS, Program Director, Children’s Mobile Response. “A teen experiencing escalating emotions or out-of-control behavior may require immediate support for his or her safety and the safety of others.”
Below are 7 signs that your child or teen may be in trouble and help is needed quickly:
- Change in habits. Especially if your child or teen’s sleeping or eating habits have changed suddenly.
- Aggressiveness. Your child or teen is verbally or physically aggressive to people, property, or animals.
- New behaviors. Your child or teen is expressing feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, isolating, no longer showing interest in things they used to enjoy, or making statements that concern you.
- Conflict. There has been or is currently significant conflict in your home between your child or teen and others in the family.
- Trauma. Your child or teen has been exposed to some kind of trauma, either in the home or outside the home.
- Self-harm. You have noticed marks like cuts, scratches, or burns on your child or teen’s arms, legs, or other areas of the body.
- Can’t manage. You are overwhelmed and no longer feel able to manage your child or teen’s behaviors and/or needs.
When your child is facing challenges to their well-being, finding the right services and support can be overwhelming.
Acenda’s Children's Mobile Response (CMR) provides crisis outreach to children and youth up to 21 years of age who are experiencing escalating emotional or behavioral issues. CMR workers respond to diffuse an immediate crisis and keep children and teens safe and stable within their homes. Crisis interventions include de-escalation, service linkage, and short term stabilization management.
If your situation is not immediately life-threatening, call 1-877-652-7624 and follow the menu prompts provided for an urgent situation. This service is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Currently, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are able to provide crisis interventions via telephone or telehealth (video) platforms. However, if the family prefers, we can provide face-to-face crisis services within one hour of notification.