If you think you have a medical or psychiatric emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. Call or text 988 (TTY 711) or visit the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for 24-hour, toll-free, confidential support for you or your loved ones.
How to Help a Child or Adolescent with Mental Health
Choosing the right words can be tough. The approach will depend on your relationship as well as the child’s personality.
Here are some tips to help you talk to and support them.
Starting the conversation
- Look for opportunities to open a supportive discussion.
- Tell them you care about them.
- Focus on being a good listener.
- Reflect, summarize, and ask questions to make sure you understand what is being said.
- Let them know their experiences and feelings are valid.
- Avoid making critical or judgmental remarks.
- Let them know that treatment is effective and available.
- If you are a child or teen, identify a trusted person and be honest about how you feel. Tell them what you think would help, including finding a therapist for assessment and treatment.
- Identify people who can provide immediate help. Save emergency contact numbers for a relative, trusted friend, non-emergency police line, the Crisis Text Line (741741), and the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988).
Helpful resources
Break the stigma of mental health
Learn how you can help change perceptions of mental health and treatment.
Condition-specific information
Learn more about different conditions and topics in child-adolescent mental health.
Mental health resources
Find local, state, and national resources for mental health treatment.
Virtual therapy options
Highmark members can receive help from home 24/7. Sign in to learn more about treatment option.