Many people don’t want to think about their children dealing with mental health issues at such a young age, and you might have never thought about taking your child to see a psychologist. Although it might not be pleasant to think about your child having issues that require the attention of a mental health specialist, there are certain situations when it is wise to seek the best child psychologist that you can find. For instance, a child who is going through a major life change might have a difficult time coping. Unlike adults, children aren’t typically able to voice their concerns or understand the things that are going on around them, and your child could be suffering without you even knowing it. Therefore, you should consider taking your child to a psychologist if you are going through a divorce or if your child is dealing with other changes that might be hard on him or her. A child who has been through a tragedy can also often benefit from seeing the best child psychologist that you can find. If your child has recently lost a loved one or has witnessed a tragedy, you should consider seeking the assistance of a good psychologist in order to help your child. You should also consider seeking professional help if your child has been acting differently or seems to be dealing with a mental health issue. Many parents are hesitant to do so, but seeking professional assistance and taking care of mental health issues as soon as possible can make a major difference in how your child recovers.

Although a lot of people have a negative opinion of going to therapy, the truth is that therapy and treatment can be highly beneficial for people of all different ages and from all different walks of life. Instead of thinking of things like substance abuse treatments and other forms of therapy as a negative thing, consider all of the benefits that can come from seeking the treatment that you need. For instance, kicking a substance abuse problem can be difficult, if not impossible, if you attempt to do it on your own. Failing to kick your habit, however, can have serious adverse effects on your life. Therefore, you shouldn’t wait too long to seek the help that you need. Instead, consider seeking  substance abuse treatments right away. There are plenty of different options for you, such as attending meetings and talking to a therapist or attending in-patient rehabilitation. Regardless of the level of treatment that you need, a licensed substance abuse counselor can help, so you should see someone as soon as possible. Adults aren’t the only ones who can benefit from seeking therapy and assistance. A child therapist North Port can help children who suffer from a variety of issues. Whether your child is upset about a divorce or is going through problems at school, you should contact a child therapist North Port to find out what you can do to help. Fortunately, more and more people are beginning to realize the benefits of seeking therapy and assistance. Therefore, there is no reason to be embarrassed about seeking the assistance that you need.

Legislation Recognizing Behavioral Health’s Central Role in Community Health & Safety
Washington, DC (Feb. 7, 2013) — Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich) introduced the Excellence in Mental Health Act today. This legislation would support the nation’s community mental health and addictions system by establishing national standards and oversight for Federally Qualified Community Behavioral Health Centers (FQCBHCs). For the 1 in 5 Americans living with mental illnesses and addictions, this would mean greater access to the services and treatments needed to keep them healthy and safe in their communities.

“Behavioral health has long been left out of the federal dictionary,” said Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO of the National Council for Behavioral Health. “As a result, mental health and addiction providers cannot receive the critical federal funds that support other safety net providers. They share the unique responsibilities of the safety-net — but none of the supports.”

Community mental health and addiction providers struggle to meet the existing needs of vulnerable Americans because of cobbled funding streams and insufficient resources.

In a statement made at the Capitol today, Rosenberg said, “Over the 30 years I’ve worked in behavioral health, I have heard an untold number of stories about real people who need care, but go without. I’ve seen ERs so mired down by the needs of people with mental illnesses and addictions that it interferes with their ability to serve their primary function. I’ve talked with family members who have knocked on every door and still don’t know where to get help for their loved ones. The Excellence in Mental Health Act would help right this wrong.”

The National Council looks forward to working with Senator Debbie Stabenow to ensure passage of the Excellence in Mental Health Act to create a new federal definition and standards for FQBHCs and to improve access to mental health and addictions care for the millions who need it.

The National Council for Behavioral Health is the unifying voice of America’s community mental health and addictions treatment organizations. Together with our 2,000 member organizations, we serve our nation’s most vulnerable citizens — the more than 8 million adults and children living with mental illnesses and addiction disorders. We are committed to ensuring all Americans have access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery and full participation in community life. The National Council pioneered Mental Health First Aid in the U.S. and has trained nearly 100,000 individuals to connect youth and adults in need to mental health and addictions care in their communities. Learn more at www.TheNationalCouncil.org. 

Sebelius: Bring mental illness out of the shadows

Kathleen Sebelius 2:59p.m. EST February 4, 2013

President Obama following lead of John Kennedy 50 years ago on improving access to care.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius speaks during the opening plenary of the National Health Policy Conference organized by The AcademyHealth February 4, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Alex Wong, Getty Images)

Story Highlights

• When untreated, condition takes a heavy toll on our society.
• Part of improving care, is ending the stigma.
• The president seeks a national dialogue to get more young people to seek help.

Fifty years ago Tuesday, President John Kennedy shattered the national silence when he delivered a message to Congress in which he called for a bold new community-based approach to mental illness that emphasized prevention, treatment, education and recovery.

In the half century since, we’ve made tremendous progress as a country when it comes to attitudes about mental health. But recent events have reminded us that we still have a long way to go to bring mental health fully out of the shadows.

The vast majority of Americans with a mental health condition are not violent. In fact, just 3% to 5% of violent crimes are committed by individuals who suffer from a serious mental illness.

But we know that some instances of mental illness can develop into crisis situations if left untreated, and those crises can lead to violence. More often than not, those with mental health conditions direct these violent acts at themselves. Tragically, there are more than 38,000 suicides in America each year, more than twice the number of homicides.

This is just one of many ways untreated mental illness takes a toll on our society. Bipolar disorder and major depression are responsible for more than 300 million days per year in lost productivity. As many as three in 10 homeless Americans have a serious mental illness. In total, mental health conditions place a greater burden on our economy than cancer or heart disease; and yet more than 60% of people with mental illness do not receive help.

The Obama administration has already made great strides in improving access to mental health care. Because of the Affordable Care Act and previous legislation making care on a par with other illnesses, 30 million Americans will gain access to health coverage, including up to 10 million who have mental health issues. Mental health care must also be covered in the new Health Insurance Marketplaces, which will open in every state this fall to help citizens find coverage that fits their needs and budget.

The president has proposed additional actions that will make it easier for young people to get mental health care. This is critical since three quarters of adult mental health conditions appear by the age of 24. His plan would train more than 5,000 mental health professionals to serve young people and advance new strategies to make sure young people and their families continue to receive support after they leave home.

But we know that lack of coverage and access to services are not the only reasons people go without the care and treatment they need. The truth is that while America has come a long way, we are still a country that frequently confines conversations about mental health to the far edges of our discourse.

We often fail to recognize the signs of mental illness, especially in young people. And when we do see those signs, our first reaction is often not to reach out, but to turn away. This is a culture we all contribute to. And it’s one that all of us — community leaders, teachers, pastors, health providers, parents, neighbors and friends — need to help change if we want to reduce the tragic burden of untreated mental health conditions.

That’s why President Obama has called for a national dialogue on mental health that will be kicked off in the coming weeks. This dialogue will seek to address the culture of silence and negative perceptions of mental illness that keep so many of our nation’s young people from seeking care. It will challenge each of us to do our part to create communities where young people and their families understand how important mental health is to positive development and feel comfortable asking for help when they need it.

The good news is that when people do seek help, we have much more effective treatments and supportive services than we did 50 years ago. The proof is the tens of millions of Americans with mental health conditions who are living healthy lives and contributing to their communities. But people will only take advantage of this progress if they are not afraid to seek help. Now is the time to work together to banish those fears and bring mental health out of the shadows once and for all.

Kathleen Sebelius is secretary of Health and Human Services.

President Obama following lead of John Kennedy 50 years ago on improving access to care.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius speaks during the opening plenary of the National Health Policy Conference organized by The AcademyHealth February 4, 2013 in Washington, DC. 

Story Highlights

• When untreated, condition takes a heavy toll on our society.
• Part of improving care, is ending the stigma.
• The president seeks a national dialogue to get more young people to seek help.

Fifty years ago Tuesday, President John Kennedy shattered the national silence when he delivered a message to Congress in which he called for a bold new community-based approach to mental illness that emphasized prevention, treatment, education and recovery.

In the half century since, we’ve made tremendous progress as a country when it comes to attitudes about mental health. But recent events have reminded us that we still have a long way to go to bring mental health fully out of the shadows.

The vast majority of Americans with a mental health condition are not violent. In fact, just 3% to 5% of violent crimes are committed by individuals who suffer from a serious mental illness.

But we know that some instances of mental illness can develop into crisis situations if left untreated, and those crises can lead to violence. More often than not, those with mental health conditions direct these violent acts at themselves. Tragically, there are more than 38,000 suicides in America each year, more than twice the number of homicides.

This is just one of many ways untreated mental illness takes a toll on our society. Bipolar disorder and major depression are responsible for more than 300 million days per year in lost productivity. As many as three in 10 homeless Americans have a serious mental illness. In total, mental health conditions place a greater burden on our economy than cancer or heart disease; and yet more than 60% of people with mental illness do not receive help.

The Obama administration has already made great strides in improving access to mental health care. Because of the Affordable Care Act and previous legislation making care on a par with other illnesses, 30 million Americans will gain access to health coverage, including up to 10 million who have mental health issues. Mental health care must also be covered in the new Health Insurance Marketplaces, which will open in every state this fall to help citizens find coverage that fits their needs and budget.

The president has proposed additional actions that will make it easier for young people to get mental health care. This is critical since three quarters of adult mental health conditions appear by the age of 24. His plan would train more than 5,000 mental health professionals to serve young people and advance new strategies to make sure young people and their families continue to receive support after they leave home.

But we know that lack of coverage and access to services are not the only reasons people go without the care and treatment they need. The truth is that while America has come a long way, we are still a country that frequently confines conversations about mental health to the far edges of our discourse.

We often fail to recognize the signs of mental illness, especially in young people. And when we do see those signs, our first reaction is often not to reach out, but to turn away. This is a culture we all contribute to. And it’s one that all of us — community leaders, teachers, pastors, health providers, parents, neighbors and friends — need to help change if we want to reduce the tragic burden of untreated mental health conditions.

That’s why President Obama has called for a national dialogue on mental health that will be kicked off in the coming weeks. This dialogue will seek to address the culture of silence and negative perceptions of mental illness that keep so many of our nation’s young people from seeking care. It will challenge each of us to do our part to create communities where young people and their families understand how important mental health is to positive development and feel comfortable asking for help when they need it.

The good news is that when people do seek help, we have much more effective treatments and supportive services than we did 50 years ago. The proof is the tens of millions of Americans with mental health conditions who are living healthy lives and contributing to their communities. But people will only take advantage of this progress if they are not afraid to seek help. Now is the time to work together to banish those fears and bring mental health out of the shadows once and for all.

Kathleen Sebelius is secretary of Health and Human Services.