Early diagnosis and appropriate services for children and their families can make a difference in the lives of children with mental disorders. Families play an important role in supporting their children through struggles and treatment. 

Check out our list of resources for available services, more information, and tools.

Childhood Mental Health Resources

Local Services

Infant Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Consultation Program

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Consultation is a free resource offered through the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) that supports children’s social–emotional development from birth through age five within early learning programs participating in Keystone STARS. IECMH Consultants specialize in early childhood development and mental health and well-being. They work with parents and caregivers in the early care and education setting to provide onsite or virtual classroom observations; screening/assessment strategies for children and classrooms; implement a process to identify strengths and opportunities for growth; facilitate the creation of an action plan to support children and classroom staff; and provide Referrals for additional supports if needed. For more information, visit pakeys.org/iecmh.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Keystone Pennsylvania Chapter

NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania is a grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children, adolescents, adults, and families affected by mental illness through recovery-focused support, education, and advocacy. Resources about mental illnesses and services are available. For more information, call 412.366.3788 or visit namikeystonepa.org.

Steel Smiling

Steel Smiling aims to bridge the gap between Black people and mental health support through education, advocacy and awareness. Their 10-year vision is to connect every Black person in Allegheny County to a positive mental health experience that improves their quality of life. For more information, call 412.532.9458 or visit steelsmilingpgh.org.

 The Alliance for Infants and Toddlers 

The Alliance for Infants and Toddlers is an Early Intervention service provider in Allegheny County for children ages zero to three. For more information, call 412.885.6000 or visit afit.org.

The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh

The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh offers behavioral health services for children and adolescents ages 5 to 21. Their licensed therapists and Certified Nurse Practitioner work closely with each client and their family to develop skills to manage mood, thinking, and behaviors – making the move towards resiliency and healing. For more information, call 412.420.2400 or visit amazingkids.org.

Allegheny Intermediate Unit DART

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit offers DART Preschool Early Intervention for children in Allegheny County, ages three to five, who are experiencing developmental delays or disabilities at no cost to parents. For more information, call 412.394.5700 or visit aiu3.net.

National Resources

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI offers a variety of programs, support groups, and a helpline for those in need. For more information, call 1.800.950.6264 or visit nami.org.

National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) was created to raise the standard of care and increase access to services for children and families who experience or witness traumatic events. Visit nctsn.org for more information.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. NIMH offers resources, brochures, and fact sheets on mental health disorders and related topics for patients and their families, health professionals, and the public. For more information, call 1.866.615.6464 or visit nimh.nih.gov.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation and to improve the lives of individuals living with mental and substance use disorders, and their families.

SAMHSA Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series (DBHIS) focuses on disaster behavioral health resources for children and youth, their families, and child-serving professionals. DBHIS offers resources that can be used by parents and other caregivers and school staff to teach children about disasters, how to prepare before they occur, and coping with their disaster reactions. Learn more: samhsa.gov/dbhis-collections/children-and-youth-resource-collection

SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI) improves treatment and services for children, adolescents, and families who have experienced traumatic events. The mission of NCTSI is to transform mental health care for children, adolescents, and families affected by trauma throughout the country by improving the quality of community-based trauma treatment and services and increasing access to effective trauma-focused interventions. Learn more: samhsa.gov/child-trauma/about-nctsi

The Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health

The Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health is a global organization that partners with associations of infant mental health so that associations can support, grow, diversify, and advocate for their local infant & early childhood mental health-informed workforce. For more information, call 734.785.7705 ext. 7210 or visit allianceaimh.org.

Parents and caregivers of young children play a critical role in a child’s brain development. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), parenting behavior has a significant influence on children’s mental health and may contribute to the development of emotional or behavior problems in children. 

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 20% of U.S. adults and 17% of children ages 6 to 17 are experiencing mental illness or a mental health disorder. Most prevalent among both parents and children today are anxiety disorders (19%) and depression (7%), followed by post-traumatic stress disorder (4%).

The CDC states that in a recent study, one in 14 children aged 0–17 years had a parent who reported poor mental health, and those children were more likely to have poor general health; to have a mental, emotional, or developmental disability; to have adverse childhood experiences such as exposure to violence or family disruptions; and to be living in poverty.

According to Mental Health America, some mental health conditions have a genetic link. However, factors like a child’s genetic vulnerability, the parent’s behavior, the child’s understanding of the parent’s illness, and the degree of family stability could also play a role in whether or not the children of parents with mental illness will develop social, emotional, or behavioral problems. 

Talking About Mental Illness with Children

Talking to children about mental illness can be an opportunity for parents to provide their children with information, support, and guidance. When talking with children about mental illness, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry suggests:  

• communicating in a straightforward manner
• communicating at a level that is appropriate to a child’s age and development level
  • Preschool-age children don’t need details, and the focus should be on what they can see (sadness, anger, etc.). 
  • School-age children might require more details and they might have questions. In that case, it’s important for parents and caregivers to answer questions honestly and reassure them about their feelings.
  • Teenagers can handle details, and they might ask specific questions. They respond better to open dialogue versus lectures.
• having the discussion when the child feels safe and comfortable
• watching their child’s reaction during the discussion
• slowing down or backing up if the child becomes confused or looks upset

Positive Parenting Tips

In addition to being open and honest with children, other parental interventions can prevent negative outcomes for future generations. Parents and caregivers can do the following to decrease the risk of mental illness to children:

• Ensuring that the child is loved
• Assuring the child that they are not to blame 
• Enlisting help and support from family members
• Creating a stable home environment
• Participating in psychotherapy as a family
• Promoting inner strength and good coping skills in the child
• Enlisting help from outside the family to improve the family environment 
• Encouraging a strong relationship with a healthy adult, friendships, and healthy interests outside the home for the child

Books to Help Discuss a Parent or Caregiver’s Mental Disorder

Books can help guide the conversation about a family member’s mental illness. Here are some suggestions:

• Binky Bunny Wants to Know about Bipolar Disorder by Kathleen Boros
• The Bipolar Bear Family:  When a Parent Has Bipolar Disorder by Angela Holloway 
• Wishing Wellness:  A Workbook for Children of Parents with Mental Illness by Lisa Clarke
• Why Is Dad So Mad? by Seth Kastle

Managing Mental Illness and Parenting

The typical stresses of parenthood can be extra challenging on top of a mental illness. It’s important to practice self care, as it promotes good physical and mental health.  Work on proper eating habits, getting enough exercise and rest, practicing relaxation techniques, and accepting help from family and friends when things feel difficult. 

To find support or more information on living with a mental health condition, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website.