Social Services Children Mental Health

Childrens Mental Health Crisis

Crisis Warning Signs
1. Inability to cope with daily tasks (lack of hygiene, refuses to eat/sleep) 2. Increased agitation (verbal threats, violent behavior, animal cruelty) 3. Display of abusive behavior (hurts others, self injury, drug/alcohol abuse) 4. Loss of touch with reality (hears voices, sees things that aren't there) 5. Rapid mood swings (increased energy, pacing, depressed mood) 6. Isolation from school, family, friends (stops going to school, changes in friendships, little interest in activities) 7. Unexplained physical symptoms (headaches & stomachaches, facial expressions look different, complains they don't feel well) If your child's behavior escalates: Keep your voice calm Keep stimulation level low Avoid overreacting Move slowly Listen Offer options instead of taking control Dont argue or try to reason Avoid touching unless you ask permission Express support and concern Be patient Avoid continuous eye contact Ask how you can help Give your child space

Who to Call During a Crisis

If safety is a concern, call 911 and tell them that this is a mental health crisis. If there is no immediate danger, call your psychiatrist, case manager, or family physician. Also, each county has a 24hour a day, 365 days a year Crisis Response Team. Crisis Response is covered by Medical Assistance and many private health insurance companies, and initial Crisis Response is available to any family regardless of ability to pay. Crisis response teams can help children cope with immediate stressors, develop practical behavioral strategies to address the childs short term needs, identify what led to the crisis, suggest techniques to avoid the crisis in the future, make a referral to a crisis center or hospital, respond in non-urgent situations to help prevent a future crisis. When you call the Crisis Response Team, they may ask you your name and the name of the child in crisis, your relationship to the child, your address, an alternate phone number, the nature of the problem, if safety is a concern, if the child has harmed themselves or is threatening to harm, and mental health and hospitalization history.

Plan to Prevent a Future Crisis

The Crisis Response Team can also help you write a crisis plan. This written plan can help prevent a crisis by identifying triggers for behavior and listing strategies that may help. Parents can help prevent a crisis by noting changes in behaviors and documenting behaviors in a journal or making notes on a calendar. It is important to note the changes in behavior because the may indicate when a crisis is about to occur. It is helpful to give this crisis plan to the local police that would be responding so they also know the plan.

For more information, visit the NAMI Minnesota website and the MN Department of Human Services website.