How do I know when a child needs help?

     Child Checklist of Signs

     How do I know when an Adolescent or

     young person needs help?

     Teen Checklist of Signs

For children, there are signs that may show a need for specialty mental health services.  If one or more of the below is present in a house where a child resides, specialty mental health services may be needed.  Please contact Tulare Youth Service Bureau to request additional information or make an appointment for an assessment if any of the below is occurring for your child or a child you take care of.

• Parents who feel overwhelmed by being a parent or who have mental health problems
• Violence or disruption in the house or overexposure to media trauma
• A major source of family stress, such as divorce or death of family member
• Abuse of drugs or alcohol by a family member or someone in the home
• Unusual or difficult behavior by the child
• Foster care placement or disruption in living arrangements

For school age children, the following checklist includes some signs that should help you decide if you child would benefit from mental health services.

• Displays unusual changes in emotions and behavior
• Difficulty getting along with other children or has no friends
• Is doing poorly in school, misses school frequently or does not want to attend school
• Has frequent minor illnesses or complaints of illnesses
• Seems fearful or becomes suddenly withdrawn or angry
• Is aggressive
• Fearful of being away from primary caregiver
• Has frequent bad dreams
• Has difficult falling or staying asleep, wakes during the night
• Suddenly refuses to be alone with a certain family member or close friend or acts upset around specific family members
• Displays affection inappropriately or makes abnormal sexual gestures or remarks
• Refuses to eat
• Is frequently tearful

You may contact Tulare Youth Service Bureau for an assessment or referral for your child if you feel he or she is showing any of the signs noted above.  If your child qualifies for Tulare County Medi-Cal, Healthy Families or fits into one of our Specialty Grant funded programs, we will arrange for your child to receive an assessment for services.                                      Return to Top

How do I know when an Adolescent or Young Person needs help?                 

Between the ages of 12 and 18, teens face numerous stressors and pressures.

Some unusual behavior by an adolescent or young adult person may be related to the physical and psychological changes taking place as they become an adult.  This population is establishing a sense of identity and shifting from relying on adults to facing independence.  A parent or concerned friend my have difficulty deciding between what is "normal behavior" and what may be signs of emotional or mental health problems requiring professional help.

Some mental illnesses can begin in the years between 12 and 21.  The checklist below may help you decide if an adolescent you know requires help.

• Pulls back from usual family, friend, and/or normal activities
• Experience an unexplained decline in school performance
• Neglects personal appearance and hygiene
• Significant weight gain or loss
• Running away from home
• Overly rebellious or aggressive behaviors
• Physical illness complaints or symptoms with no apparent illness
• You suspect the use of drugs or alcohol

You may contact Tulare Youth Service Bureau for an assessment or referral for your teen if you feel he or she is showing any of the signs noted above.  If your child qualifies for Tulare County Medi-Cal, Healthy Families or fits into one of our Specialty Grant funded programs, we will arrange for your child to receive an assessment for services.

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