I’m overwhelmed — how do I know where to start?

I am feeling overwhelmed as I think my child is struggling with a mental health issue. How do I know where to start?

It’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed when your child is facing mental health challenges. Navigating mental health concerns for a teenager can feel daunting, but there are resources and steps you can take to get support for both your child and yourself.

1. Speak with Your Child’s Primary Care Provider

A good first step is to contact your child’s pediatrician or family doctor. They can:

• Assess your child’s physical and mental health.
• Provide referrals to mental health specialists, such as child psychologists or psychiatrists.
• Help rule out any physical conditions that might be contributing to their symptoms.

2. Speak with your Child’s Teacher

Another good initial step is to contact your child’s teacher and/or other school-based resources. They can:

• Provide a perspective of what is happening within the classroom.
• Connect your child with the school counselor or social worker who can provide immediate support and referrals.
• Discuss the process for determining if accommodations or support plans (like a 504 Plan or Individualized Education Program) are needed, if your child’s school performance is affected.

3. Contact a Local Mental Healthcare Provider

Your child’s primary care provider may recommend providers they are familiar with or have worked with locally.  In Charlotte, there are professionals and organizations that specialize in supporting teenagers:

• Novant Health Psychiatry and Behavioral Health: They offer child and adolescent mental health services.
• Atrium Health Behavioral Health: Provides a range of services, including therapy and psychiatric care for youth.
• Thompson Child & Family Focus: A local nonprofit offering counseling and therapy services for children and families.
• Hopeway:offers residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs, specializing in mental health conditions, including those affecting teens, and young adults with eating disorders. 
• Alexander Youth Network: multi-agency organization that provides mental and behavioral healthcare, crisis support, housing assistance, and skill-building programs to children and families in North Carolina, with a focus on trauma-informed care

4. Reach Out to a Support Organization

There are also nonprofits and helplines that can provide assistance:

• NAMI Charlotte (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Offers support groups, educational resources, and guidance for families navigating mental health challenges.
• Mental Health America of Central Carolinas: Provides resources, family support, and education.
• Teen Mental Health Resources in North Carolina: Check the NC Department of Health and Human Services for statewide programs.

5. Consider Therapy and Psychiatric Support

You may want to explore:

• Individual Therapy: A therapist can work one-on-one with your child on coping strategies, emotional regulation, and more.
• Family Therapy: Sometimes working together as a family can help with understanding and supporting your child.
• Psychiatric Evaluation: If medication might help, a psychiatrist can evaluate your child’s needs.

6. Crisis Support

If you ever feel your child is in immediate danger, don’t hesitate to:

• Call 911 and ask for a CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) officer trained in mental health.
• Use the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
• Access the Cardinal Innovations Healthcare 24-Hour Crisis Line at 800-939-5911, which serves your area.

7. Take Care of Yourself

Supporting a child with mental health challenges can be stressful. Consider joining a support group or seeking therapy for yourself to ensure you’re supported as well.