Comprehensive Services through Systems of Care Can Help
Some children diagnosed with severe mental health disorders may be eligible for comprehensive and community-based services through systems of care. Systems of care help children with serious emotional disturbances and their families cope with the challenges of difficult mental, emotional, or behavioral problems. To learn more about systems of care, call the National Mental Health Information Center at 1-800-789-2647, and request fact sheets on systems of care and serious emotional disturbances, or visit the Center's web site at http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov

Finding the Right Services Is Critical
To find the right services for their children, families can do the following:

• Get accurate information from hotlines, libraries, or other sources.
• Seek referrals from professionals.
• Ask questions about treatments and services.
• Talk to other families in their communities.
• Find family network organizations.

It is critical that people who are not satisfied with the mental health care they receive discuss their concerns with providers, ask for information, and seek help from other sources.

Important Messages About Child and Adolescent Mental Health:

• Every child's mental health is important.
• Many children have mental health problems.
• These problems are real, painful, and can be severe.
• Mental health problems can be recognized and treated.
• Caring families and communities working together can help.
• Information is available; call 1-800-789-2647.