Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Medicare
  • Employer
  • Broker
  • Provider
  • Careers
  • Health News
  • About Us
  • Menu
    • Find Care
      • Care Options

        • Find a Doctor
        • 24/7 Nurse Line
        • Video Doctor Visits
        • Look up a Medication
        • Care Management
        • Caregiver Support
        • Serious Illness
        • Care Decisions
        • Holistic Care
          • Find alternative care
          Close
        • Acupuncture
        • Transgender Services
        • Team Blue
          • A Pledge to Make Meaningful Change
          Close
        Close
      Close
    • Your Health
      • Mental and Behavioral Health

        • Mental & Behavioral Health
        • Articles & Videos
        • Substance Use Disorder
        Close
      • Conditions

        • Pregnancy
        • Diabetes
        • Asthma
        Close
      • Everyday Wellness

        • Coronavirus Resource Center
          • We Are Mighty, MA
          Close
        • Flu Resources
          • Flu FAQ
          • Flu Myths
          Close
        • Preventive Care
        • Whole Health Checklist
        • Family Planning
        Close
      Close
    • Learn & Save
      • Plans & Benefits

        • Medical
          • Student Plan
          Close
        • Dental
        • Vision
        • Pharmacy
        • Deductible plans
        • Other Benefits
        • Health Connector Plans
        • Summary of Benefits and Coverage
        Close
      • Ways to Save

        • Health Financial Accounts
        • Fitness & Weight Loss
        • Breast Pump Savings
        Close
      • Insurance Basics

        • Transitioning to Medicare
        Close
      • Fast Forms
      • Glossary of Terms
      Close
    Close
  • Search
    • Search
    Close
  • Support
    • Team Blue Support
      • Call member service 1-800-262-2583
      • Talk to a nurse 1-888-247-2583
      • Video Doctor Visit
      • Send website feedback
      Close
    Close
  • Sign In
  • Menu
    • Home
    • Find Care
      • Care Options

        • Find a Doctor
        • 24/7 Nurse Line
        • Video Doctor Visits
        • Look up a Medication
        • Care Management
        • Caregiver Support
        • Serious Illness
        • Care Decisions
        • Holistic Care
          • Find alternative care
          Close
        • Acupuncture
        • Transgender Services
        • Team Blue
          • A Pledge to Make Meaningful Change
          Close
        Close
      Close
    • Your Health
      • Mental and Behavioral Health

        • Mental & Behavioral Health
        • Articles & Videos
        • Substance Use Disorder
        Close
      • Conditions

        • Pregnancy
        • Diabetes
        • Asthma
        Close
      • Everyday Wellness

        • Coronavirus Resource Center
          • We Are Mighty, MA
          Close
        • Flu Resources
          • Flu FAQ
          • Flu Myths
          Close
        • Preventive Care
        • Whole Health Checklist
        • Family Planning
        Close
      Close
    • Learn & Save
      • Plans & Benefits

        • Medical
          • Student Plan
          Close
        • Dental
        • Vision
        • Pharmacy
        • Deductible plans
        • Other Benefits
        • Health Connector Plans
        • Summary of Benefits and Coverage
        Close
      • Ways to Save

        • Health Financial Accounts
        • Fitness & Weight Loss
        • Breast Pump Savings
        Close
      • Insurance Basics

        • Transitioning to Medicare
        Close
      • Fast Forms
      • Glossary of Terms
      Close

    Other Sites

    • Home
    • Medicare
    • Employer
    • Broker
    • Provider
    • Careers
    • Health News
    • About Us

    Need Help

    • Team Blue Support
      • Call member service 1-800-262-2583
      • Talk to a nurse 1-888-247-2583
      • Video Doctor Visit
      • Send website feedback
      Close
    Close
  1. Home
  2. Articles & Videos
  3. Signs a Child May Need Mental Health Support
Español Português 简体中文 Tiếng Việt Pусский
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Signs a child may need mental health support

As parents and caretakers, we do all we can to provide our kids with a happy and stress-free upbringing. But children, like adults, experience mental and emotional ups and downs, with good days and bad days. How can you tell the difference between an everyday struggle and a more serious concern?

If you’re worried about your child’s mental health, you’re not alone: an estimated one in six children between the ages of six and 17 has a treatable mental health challenge, according to a JAMA Pediatrics article. There are ways you can help your child, signs you can look for to determine whether professional support may be appropriate, and resources to help ensure that your child receives the right care.

COVID-19 impact on children

While many factors can affect mental health, the COVID-19 pandemic has been especially challenging for children and adolescents, with changes in routine and isolation from friends, family, and classmates. Many households are experiencing newfound stress and financial challenges, all of which can impact a child’s emotional well-being. Some may also be experiencing the loss of a loved one due to COVID-19.

We may be unable to shield our children from the pandemic, but we can start conversations to determine what they’re thinking and experiencing. If you sense anxiety or uncertainty, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you reassure your children and make yourself available to listen, converse, and provide appropriate, truthful information as you answer their questions.

The CDC also offers a valuable parental resources kit, so you can learn how to guide your children through the pandemic and help them cope.

Age by age signs

Children of all ages can be touched by mental health challenges, some as a result of serious hardships in their own lives or the lives of family members – with or without the impact of a pandemic. It’s helpful to know the signs of anxiety, depression, and other issues as you determine if your child may require additional help.

Recognizing early on that your child has a mental health challenge can benefit their long-term mental and physical health. Fifty percent of all lifetime mental illness develops by the age of 14, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Click to download the guide for signs to look for by age.

Identifying care options

A great first step is to talk to your pediatrician, whose professional advice and familiarity with your child’s development will be beneficial. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Blue Cross) members don’t need referrals to seek therapy, but it’s important to keep your pediatrician updated on external care your child receives.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has a list of different types of therapists who may be able to help your child, depending on their needs. Therapists can evaluate your child’s mental health and talk through techniques that can help, while a psychiatrist can diagnose mental illnesses, and prescribe medication if needed.

There are several steps you can consider to identify the right therapist for your child:

  • Blue Cross members can use the Find a Doctor tool to find a child therapist nearby
  • You can ask friends, family members, or your pediatrician for recommendations
  • You can conduct research and call therapy practices, asking questions to try to find the right fit

Well Connection, Blue Cross’s telehealth platform, is another option available to many Blue Cross members, allowing your child to get virtual therapy from licensed providers anywhere in the United States. Check MyBlue to see if your plan offers access.

Self-guided programs can also be valuable, and can allow children to go at their own pace as they explore their mental health and discover ways to improve it. With Learn to Live®´, children over 13 can take a seven-minute assessment and participate in tailored programs, designed to provide support for people dealing with conditions including social anxiety, mild depression, and substance use. Check MyBlue to see if your plan offers access to this tool.

If your child is using self-guided programs, or consulting with a therapist via telehealth, offer them a quiet, private space.

Remember that as children grow and enter their teenage years, mental health can become more complex. You know your child best, so trust your instincts and use available resources to help determine if you and your child should seek professional help.

You and your child are not alone in seeking care

It’s important to show your child that you’re there to listen, provide support, and ease their concerns. Share your own feelings so they see that mental health challenges are normal.

It may also be worthwhile to explore whether you need to seek help for yourself. Caring for a loved one, especially guiding a child or adolescent through the process of seeking professional help for mental health, can be overwhelming. Be sure to take care of yourself, physically and mentally.

You want nothing more than happiness for your child. Understanding how to support their mental health and taking proper steps to guide them toward professional care will lead you and your child toward a healthier and happier life.

Footer: Links

  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Sitemap
  • Feedback
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Security
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility
  • Nondiscrimination
  • Member Rights
  • Plan Updates
  • Utilization Management
  • MyBlue App
  • Health News Stories
  • Well-B
  • Medical Policies
  • Equity In Health Care​​​​​​​

Download App

Download on App Store Download on Google Play

Follow us:

  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Follow us on YouTube

Choose a language:

  • English/English
  • Spanish/Español
  • Portuguese/Português
  • French/Français
  • Chinese/简体中文
  • Haitian Creole/Kreyòl Ayisyen
  • Vietnamese/Tiếng Việt
  • Russian/Русский
  • Mon-Khmer, Cambodian/ខ្មែរ
  • Italian/Italiano
  • Korean/한국어
  • Greek/Ελληνικά
  • Polish/Polski
  • Hindi/हिंदी
  • Gujarati/ગુજરાતી
  • Tagalog/Tagalog
  • Japanese/日本語
  • German/Deutsch
  • Lao/ພາສາລາວ
  • Navajo/Diné Bizaad

ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Call 1-800-200-4255(TTY: 711).

ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia con el idioma. Llame al número de Servicio al Cliente que figura en su tarjeta de identificación llamada 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

ATENÇÃO: Se fala português, são-lhe disponibilizados gratuitamente serviços de assistência de idiomas. Telefone para os Serviços aos Membros, através do número no seu cartão ID chamar 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

ATTENTION : si vous parlez français, des services d’assistance linguistique sont disponibles gratuitement. Appelez le Service adhérents au numéro indiqué sur votre carte d’assuré appel 1-800-472-2689  (TTY : 711).

注意:如果您讲中文,我们可向您免费提供语言协助服务。请拨打您 ID  卡上的号码联系会员服务部 通话 1-800-472-2689(TTY  号码:711)。

ATANSYON: Si ou pale kreyòl ayisyen, sèvis asistans nan lang disponib pou ou gratis. Rele nimewo Sèvis Manm nan ki sou kat Idantitifkasyon w lan (Sèvis pou Malantandan Rele 1-800-472-2689 TTY: 711).

LƯU .: Nếu quý vị n.i Tiếng Việt, c.c dịch vụ hỗ trợ ng.n ngữ được cung cấp cho quý vị miễn ph.. Gọi cho Dịch vụ Hội vi.n theo số tr.n thẻ ID của quý vị Cuộc gọi 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

ВНИМАНИЕ: если Вы говорите по-русски, Вы можете воспользоваться бесплатными услугами переводчика. Позвоните в отдел обслуживания клиентов по номеру, указанному в Вашей идентификационной карте вызов 1-800-472-2689 (телетайп: 711).

ការជូនដំណឹង៖ ប្រសិនប. ើអ្នកនិយាយភាសា ខ្មែរ សេ  វាជំនួយភាសាឥតគិតថ្លៃ គឺអាចរកបានសម្  រាប ់អ្នក។ សូមទូរស័ព្ទទ ៅផ ្នែ កសេ  វាសមា  ជិកតាមល េខន  ៅល.  ើប ័ណ្ណ សម្  គាល ់ខ្លួ ខ្លួ នរប ស់អ្នក ហៅ 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711) ។

ATTENZIONE: se parlate italiano, sono disponibili per voi servizi gratuiti di assistenza linguistica. Chiamate il Servizio per i membri al numero riportato sulla vostra scheda identificativa chiamata 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

참고 : 한국어를 사용하는 경우 언어 지원 서비스를 무료로 사용할 수 있습니다. 신분증에있는 전화 번호 1-800-472-2689 (TTY : 711)로 회원 서비스에 연락하십시오.

ΠΡΟΣΟΧΗ: Εάν μιλάτε Ελληνικά, διατίθενται για σας υπηρεσίες γλωσσικής βοήθειας, δωρεάν. Καλέστε την Υπηρεσία Εξυπηρέτησης Μελών στον αριθμό της κάρτας μέλους σας (ID Card) κλήση 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

UWAGA: Osoby posługujące się językiem polskim mogą bezpłatnie skorzystać z pomocy językowej. Należy zadzwonić do Działu obsługi ubezpieczonych pod numer podany na identyfikatorze zadzwoń 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

ध्यान दें: य दि  आप ह िन् दी बोलते ह ैं, तो भा षा  सहाय  ता  सेवा एँ, आप के लि ए नि :शुल्क  उपलब्ध ह ैं। सदस्य  सेवा ओं को आपके आई.डी. कार  ्ड पर दि ए गए नंबर पर कॉल करें  कॉल 1-800-472-2689 ( टी .टी .वा ई.: 711).

ધ્યાન આપો:  જો તમે ગુજરા તી બોલતા  હો, તો તમને ભા ષા કીય  સહાય  તા  સેવા ઓ વિ ના  મૂલ્યે  ઉપલબ્ધ છે. તમા રા  આઈડી કાર  ્ડ પર આપેલા  નંબર પર Member Service  ને કૉલ કરો કૉલ કરો 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

PAUNAWA: Kung nagsasalita ka ng wikang Tagalog, mayroon kang magagamit na mga libreng serbisyo para sa tulong sa wika. Tawagan ang Mga Serbisyo sa Miyembro sa numerong nasa iyong ID Card tumawag 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

お知らせ:日本語をお話しになる方は無料の言語アシスタンスサービスをご利用いただけます。ID カードに記載の電話番号を使用してメンバーサービスまでお電話ください 呼び出す 1-800-472-2689(TTY: 711)。

ACHTUNG: Wenn Sie Deutsche sprechen, steht Ihnen kostenlos fremdsprachliche Unterstützung zur Verfügung. Rufen Sie den Mitgliederdienst unter der Nummer auf Ihrer ID-Karte an Anrufen 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

ຂໍ້ຄວນໃສ່ໃຈ: ຖ້າເຈົ້າເວົ້າພາສາລາວໄດ້, ມີການບໍລິການຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອດ້ານພາສາໃຫ້ທ່ານໂດຍບໍ່ເສຍຄ່າ. ໂທ ຫາ ຝ່າຍບໍລິການສະ ມາ ຊິກທີ່ໝາຍເລກໂທລະສັບຢູ່ໃນບັດຂອງທ່ານ ໂທ 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

BAA !KOHWIINDZIN DOO&G&: Din4 k’ehj7 y1n7[t’i’go saad bee y1t’i’ 47 t’11j77k’e bee n7k1’a’doowo[go 47 n1’ahoot’i’. D77 bee an7tah7g7 ninaaltsoos bine’d44’ n0omba bik1’7g7ij8’ b44sh bee hod77lnih call 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ® Registered Marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ®´ Registered Marks of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Inc., or Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts HMO Blue, Inc. ®´´ Registered Marks, TM Trademarks. and SM Service Marks are the property of their respective owners. © 2021 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Inc., or Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts HMO Blue, Inc.