Психического здоровья

It is critical to recognize that a child’s emotional and mental well-being is just as important as their physical health. Exposure to traumatic experiences such as violence and neglect, as well as deprivation that often accompanies poverty can negatively affect children’s behavior and, consequently, their relationships with family and friends and their ability to succeed in school.

To ensure that every child realizes her innate potential to become a healthy adult, productive citizen, and contributing member of society, Children First is dedicated to ameliorating the circumstances that contribute to child behavioral health problems and the barriers that impede children from accessing the services they need to feel better.

What is behavioral health? Behavioral health refers to both mental health and/or substance use challenges, including depression, anxiety, alcoholism, attention deficit disorder, disordered eating, drug addiction, and more. Behavioral health can range from individual behaviors and symptoms to a diagnosable disorder. The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that one in five children in the United States lives with a behavioral health challenge.

Parent/Caregiver Toolkit for Kids’ Behavioral Health

Explore the resources below to learn more about getting your child the support they need.  If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call 215-563-5848 or email behavioralhealth@childrenfirstpa.org

  • Understanding the Alphabet Soup: Key terms for children’s behavioral health
    • Use this guide if you are unfamiliar with behavioral health and want to learn more about what services and supports are available to your child.

Behavioral Health Priorities

  • Preventing exposure to one-time or ongoing traumatic experiences such as violence, neglect, or racism that can negatively affect children’s emotional and mental wellbeing.
  • All children should have access to quality behavioral health services, regardless of insurance coverage, socioeconomic status, or citizenship.
  • Behavioral health services and supports must be high-quality, culturally relevant, age-appropriate, and patient-centered.