Warning Signs
Signs and symptoms may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Excessive worry, anxiety or fear.
- Excessive sadness.
- Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning.
- Extreme mood changes.
- Avoidance of friends and social activities.
- Difficulty understanding or relating to other people.
- Changes in sleeping habits, increased fatigue or low energy.
- Increased or decreased appetite.
- Changes in school performance.
- Hyperactive behavior.
- Frequent nightmares.
- Excessive disobedience or aggression.
- Frequent temper tantrums not typical for their age.
Suicide Prevention
Suicide rates among young people are increasing in Texas, according to Texas Health Data. As a parent or guardian, it’s important to normalize talking about emotions and mental health with your child.
Make the space to have open conversations about your child’s feelings without pressuring them. Be patient with your child and be mindful of your own emotions. Let them know if you have noticed a change in their behavior and be encouraging when they open up. Listen carefully and thank them for telling you how they are feeling.
If your youth is safe and needs support, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You will be connected to a trained person who can help you find resources in your area.
If your youth is in imminent danger, if they are trying to harm themselves or have already made a suicide attempt, it is time to get help. Don’t wait. Call 9-1-1.
To learn more, visit visit the HHSC Suicide Prevention page.
Find a Provider
Navigating mental health challenges with your child can feel overwhelming, but you are not alone. Texas agencies offer comprehensive services tailored to the needs of children and adolescents in many settings.
Medicaid/CHIP Behavioral Health Services
If your child receives Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), they are entitled to behavioral health services including access to medical specialists and mental health care.
If your child is currently enrolled in an insurance health plan, contact the health plan to ask about available benefits and network providers.
To find out if your child qualifies for Medicaid, CHIP, or other health insurance programs, visit Children’s Medicaid and CHIP.
Local Mental Health and Behavioral Health Authorities
Your child may be able to get mental health services at a mental health or behavioral health authority in Texas. HHSC contracts with 37 local mental health authorities and two local behavioral health authorities to deliver mental health services in communities across Texas.
Who Is Eligible?
Children ages 3 to 17 may qualify for children’s mental health services if they:
- Have a serious emotional disturbance and have a serious functional impairment.
- Are at risk of leaving their home environment because of psychiatric symptoms.
- Are in special education because of emotional disturbance.
To determine if your child qualifies, contact your local mental health or behavioral health authority. To find one, call 2-1-1 or visit Find Your Local Mental Health or Behavioral Health Authority.
To learn more about community mental health services for children, visit the HHSC Children’s Mental Health page.
School Support
Some students can receive mental health support using Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT). With parental consent, TCHATT offers short-term telemedicine or telehealth programs to help identify and assess the behavioral health needs of children and adolescents and provide access to mental health services.
As a parent or guardian, you may be able to access TCHATT services. Contact your school’s counselor to confirm if the school has a TCHATT partnership, and ask about getting a referral.
To learn more visit Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine.