Mental health issues are health issues
It can be helpful to think of your child’s mental health condition like many other health conditions or issues. If your child has strep throat, a broken bone or a chronic condition, they’ll experience troubling symptoms or pain, get the care they need and likely feel better. But that doesn’t mean they’ll never experience that condition or injury again. And if they do, it’s no one’s fault. Nobody did anything wrong.
The same is true for anxiety, depression, stress or other mental health issues. When your child leaves outpatient mental health care, they are done with that episode of care. But it might be just that — one episode of care. Your child will experience challenges, emotional stressors, hormonal changes and more. They’ll experience life. And life creates challenges and stress for all of us. Occasionally, even happy or positive events can cause increased stress.
Sometimes, your child will be able to overcome these challenges on their own using the skills and insights they have developed. Other times, they may get stuck. Their mental health challenges might hang around and get in the way of participating in school, friendships or family life. When that happens, it’s better to take on those challenges with the help of mental health professionals.
If your child needs to return to outpatient care, or another level of mental health care, know that it’s completely common — just as it’s common for a kid to break multiple bones in their life or need periodic care for asthma. This is simply part of living and growing.
Find healthy routines in your community
When your child leaves outpatient care, they may or may not need ongoing mental health care down the road. But what every kid does need in this situation are activities that give them a sense of community, purpose and confidence. Help your child find a positive peer group and interests that boost their self-esteem. This can include:
- Volunteering
- Positive hobbies, projects or interests
- Creative outlets like art or music
- Clubs or activities at school or in the community
- Athletics or other physical activities
- Learning a new skill
- Spending time with family and friends
- If appropriate, a job
Connect with your child’s school
Every school offers different mental health resources to their students, so it’s important to understand what’s available to your child. These are common supports to explore at your child’s school:
- School counselor: Understand the role of your child’s school counselor and how your child might benefit from connecting with them. Some counselors focus more on college and career advice rather than emotional or behavioral issues.
- School psychologist: Does your child’s school have a psychologist? If so, what is their role? Are there other providers in your child’s school who could help your child?
- Teachers: Explain your child’s mental health challenges to their teachers, request open communication and check in frequently. Encourage your child to advocate for themselves as much as possible and have them participate in these conversations. Even young kids can do this.
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan: If your child already has an IEP or 504 Plan, consider speaking with their therapist and teachers about whether you should make any updates. If your child doesn’t have one but is having difficulties at school, discuss with their mental health provider and school team if they could benefit from having formal support.
Reconnect with your child’s doctor
As your child transitions from outpatient care, it’s important for your mental health providers to communicate and coordinate with their primary care provider (PCP) about their treatment. Give your child’s PCP the latest update about their mental health treatment and any other information that will help their PCP provide continued care to your child, such as your child’s IEP/504 Plan, if they have one. If your child is on medication for their mental health, consider discussing with their PCP whether they would be comfortable providing ongoing medication management. Schedule regular check-ins with your PCP, who can monitor your child’s mental health and support reconnecting them to therapy, if they need it in the future.
Take care of yourself and your mental health
When your child is facing mental health challenges, it’s easy to focus all your energy on helping them. And it may have been a long road to get to where you are, leaving you tired and your needs neglected.
You may have heard this sentiment many times, but it doesn’t make it any less true: to take care of your loved ones, you have to take care of yourself first.
Take some basic steps to protect your mental and emotional well-being. Engage in activities for your own enjoyment. Lean on your support system and talk to trusted friends and family about what you’re going through. Seek your own mental health care if you need it. Find activities and resources that you enjoy, give you a sense of purpose and fit your life, but make sure you do it for yourself.
And please consider sharing your family’s story. Mental health issues still carry stigma and the best way to combat that is to increase awareness.