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The following are helpful tips for parents, guardians, teachers, coaches and supervising adults provided by Fremont Human Services Department - Youth and Family Services.
How do you identify the difference between a normal childhood mood swing and an early sign of potential mental disorder?
Take an ACTIVE role to prevent youth violence and protect child health and safety. Err on the side of caution, if something feels wrong-take action!
Positive parental time and attention is the most important protection! Make the time to “hang out†regularly with your child. Ask about their daily lives and feelings and really LISTEN.
Seek help if you notice changes in your child’s behavior, or symptoms of distress that last more than 2 weeks:
- Irritability, anger
- Hopelessness
- Lying or stealing
- Sleep problems or fatigue
- Low self esteem
- Decrease in school grades
- Frequent headaches
- Stomach problems
- Isolating from friends and family
- Loss of interest in usual activities
- Conflict with peers and friends
- Poor or excessive appetite
- Crying spells
- Excessive worrying and fears
- Poor concentration
Some situations are very serious and should be acted upon immediately:
- Self-harm (cutting, burning, bruising)
- Bringing weapons to school
- Running away from home
- Use of alcohol or drugs
- Delusions or hallucinations
- Threats of violence / Acts of violence (against pets, people)
- Talking or thinking of suicide
- Being hurt or victimized by others
- Illegal actions
Who do I call for professional help?
- Talk to your school principal about immediate access to counseling services at school
- Make an appointment with your child’s doctor to screen for mental and physical health problems
- Call the Police or 911 for urgent or dangerous situations
- Questions about youth behaviors, crisis screening and support, assessments, and counseling services can be addressed by calling the City of Fremont Youth and Family Services (YFS) (510) 574-2100 Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
For tips about Parenting please visit the following resources:
Family Checkup-Positive Parenting prevents substance abuse
http://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/files/Famliycheckupall.pdf
City of Fremont Youth and Family Services Parent Project
http://www.fremont.gov/index.aspx?NID=1085
Raising Children to Resist Violence
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/resist-violence.aspx
For more information about warning signs and youth violence, please visit the following websites:
Warning Signs- MTV and American Psychological Association pamphlet:
http://www.mtv.com/onair/flipped/warning_signs.pdf
Warning signs of violence
http://sspw.dpi.wi.gov/files/sspw/pdf/bhsssibolewarningsigns.pdf
Domestic/Dating Violence and Teens
http://www.breakthecycle.org/
For more detailed information about child and youth mental health, please visit the following websites:
National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/child-and-adolescent-mental-health/index.shtml
Family Education and Resource Center
http://www.askferc.org/
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
http://store.samhsa.gov/home
National Institute on Drug Abuse- resources for parents and teachers
http://www.drugabuse.gov/parents-teachers
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Stop Bullying
http://www.stopbullying.gov/
National Alliance on Mental Illness Child and Adolescent Action Center
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=For_Parents,_Caregivers,_and_Youth&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=37809
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