pediatric mental health
what is pediatric mental health?
We address children’s mental health early and collaboratively, recognizing that unmet needs have lifelong impacts across school, home, and personal life.
Pediatric mental health is the emotional, psychological and social wellbeing of children and adolescents. It’s about how our children think, feel and behave – and how they handle stress, relate to others and make choices. It’s about helping kids thrive – feeling good about themselves forming healthy relationships and coping with life’s ups and downs.
Many kids face mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression or behavioral issues. With early support and the right care, they can learn to manage symptoms and lead fulfilling lives. By partnering with the community and area organizations, Dayton Children’s is making sure children get the support they need to address the mental health needs of children and their families – from prevention and diagnosis to outpatient therapy and inpatient treatment.
when to see a mental health specialist
Many children and teens will experience anxiety or fear and may even show challenging behaviors at times. If your child is having more severe or constant symptoms that are interfering with school, home or social activities then it may be time to speak with your child’s primary care provider. If your child’s provider is concerned about symptoms or behaviors, they can refer you to Dayton Children’s for pediatric mental health care.
crisis care
The goal of Dayton Children’s mental health crisis services are to help stabilize a patient in a crisis in a safe, comfortable and supportive environment. We do that through our mental health crisis center, mental health inpatient unit, intensive outpatient therapy and more.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or life-threatening situation, please call 9-1-1 or go to an emergency department.
The Price Family Mental Health Crisis Center, located in the Mathile Center for Mental Health and Wellness, is designed to evaluate children in a safe, caring and effective way that are experiencing a mental health crisis. Our trained mental health clinicians will provide an assessment and connect children to the appropriate services, which may be inpatient, day treatment or outpatient services.
The mental health inpatient unit at Dayton Children’s is located inside the Mathile Center for Mental Health and Wellness. The unit provides stabilization for a child in crisis (ages 9-17) in a safe, comfortable and supportive environment. The healing process begins on the unit through a combination of traditional talk therapy, art, music and movement therapy as well as interactive media boards. Learn more about what to expect while receiving mental health inpatient care in our video below.
Bridge therapy aims to reduce return emergency crisis visits and to reduce acute psychiatric admissions. Patients and families will receive limited interventions that will focus on crisis management and securing on-going mental health services.
The bridge clinic team will provide crisis interventions, help identify what led to the crisis event, help with developing healthy coping skills, and educate use of the crisis management plan to manage current and future crises.
Patients will be seen in the bridge clinic if they have been seen in our Price Family Crisis Center, the mental health inpatient unit or our psychiatry clinic.
Sometimes when a child is ready to leave the behavioral health inpatient unit, they aren’’t quite ready to adjust back to normal life. That’s where day treatment programs can help smooth the way. Two levels of care in the day treatment program can help your child transition back to living at home, going to school and interacting with the world.
Partial hospitalization program
- The goal of this program is to prevent or safely step your child down from inpatient hospitalization, and improve overall functioning through stabilization. Your child comes to the program instead of school for a few weeks (timing depends on their age). We integrate psychoeducation and therapy with their school work. This allows for intensive help with avoiding self-harm, increasing recovery and coping skills, and transitioning back to their everyday life.
Intensive outpatient program
- For teens who can function at school but still need a more intensive focus on recovery, Dayton Children’s offers the intensive outpatient program. For three hours, three days a week, teens attend group therapy to provide recovery skills for the areas that they may still be struggling with.
If you think your child may benefit from one of our day treatment programs, talk with your child’s pediatrician. They can determine what kind of help your child needs and can make a referral to our program if appropriate.
therapy services care
Dayton Children’s offers a variety of therapy services for children.
The outpatient therapy clinic specializes in providing compassionate care for children and teens struggling with mental health conditions. Our experienced team of child and adolescent therapists is dedicated to supporting your family with a wide range of services, including:
- Comprehensive assessments
- Personalized treatment recommendations
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
We understand the unique challenges families face when addressing a child’s mental health needs. Our therapists take the time to listen, understand your child’s situation, and develop a tailored mental health plan to best support their emotional wellbeing.
We’re here to guide you every step of the way. Our team is here for you every step of the way – we’ll help you know what to expect, answer your questions, and connect you with additional resources, should you need further support.
Your child’s mental health matters to us, and we’re committed to helping them thrive.If you think your child could benefit from our outpatient therapy services, fill out our self-referral form for the mental health resource connection to request an appointment.
Eating disorders can affect a child’s nutrition, growth and overall health. The eating disorders clinic at Dayton Children’s brings together the medical and psychological aspects of treatment for patients ages 10 to 17 with a diagnosis of an eating disorder and referral.
To provide the most comprehensive care, our team includes:
- Double board-certified pediatrician and child and adolescent psychiatrist
- Therapists
- Dietitians
- Nurses
- Medical assistants
We understand that seeking help for an eating disorder can be very challenging. We use a treatment plan that involves the whole family and is based on proven methods for helping children and adolescents with eating disorders. One important part of this plan is teaching parents and caregivers how to follow the care team’s advice at home.
We believe in partnering with families on their child’s road to recovery. Together, we’ll work towards a healthier future for your child. We’re here for you every step of the way. Our team will help you know what to expect, answer your questions, and connect you with additional resources, should you need further support.
Dayton Children’s psychiatry offers medical evaluation and treatment for children and teens with complex mental health conditions. Our team provides assessments, diagnoses and medication management when appropriate. Psychiatry is especially suited for patients whose symptoms might be linked to chemical imbalances or require medication support.
Dayton Children’s psychology focuses on understanding and supporting the emotional, behavioral and developmental needs of children and teens – especially those managing chronic medical conditions like diabetes.
early prevention programs
Dayton Children’s Hospital delivers early prevention services through school-based therapy, student resiliency coordinators, and community programs like On Our Sleeves, which equips children and families with tools to build mental wellness before crises arise.
School-based therapy
In partnership with Dayton Public Schools and Lincoln Community Center, our school-based therapy provides short-term, cognitive behavioral therapy in the school setting to help students and families develop effective ways to manage their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. We are embedded in over 20 schools throughout the community and have more than 10 school-based therapists that serve almost 300 students and families.
Student resiliency coordinators
Dayton Children’s student resiliency program was designed to provide resiliency development and social needs coordination for students and families impacted by trauma. These employees work at Dayton-area high schools, helping students build in seven key areas: competence, confidence, connection, character, contribution, coping and control. They also provide family members and school staff with resources.
Youth and Family Resource Connection
The Youth and Family Resource Connection (YFRC) is a program that helps families and students find mental health and social support services in their community. It is funded by the Montgomery County ADAMHS Board and Dayton Children’s Hospital.
On Our Sleeves – Classroom Champions
On Our Sleeves at Dayton Children’s is bringing trusted mental health resources for children directly to families and educators in our Dayton community. Classroom Champions is a community of educators and teachers who are committed to helping their students with mental wellness. All Classroom Champions receive free classroom activities, lesson plans and other resources from our experts to boost the mental wellness of kids in all grade levels.
Integrated mental health
This innovative approach embeds master’s and doctorate-level mental health therapists and psychologists in pediatrician offices. They are on site full-time to support children who are struggling with mental health concerns. Talk with your pediatrician to see if this service is available at your child’s pediatrician office.
Community health workers
Community health workers serve as child/family advocates empowering families to engage in and navigate their health care. Our community health workers focus in areas such as well-check adherence, asthma, sickle cell clinic, kinship navigators, Dayton regional pathways HUB.
HealthySteps
HealthySteps incorporates a child development specialist in the primary care team, promoting healthy relationships, positive parenting, early development and addressing both child and family needs.
Mental Health Resource Connection
The Mental Health Resource Connection program connects patients and families to available mental health services in the community – striving to improve the mental health and wellness of children within our reach. This service is administered by social workers experienced in evaluating pediatric mental health needs and the services required to meet those needs.
If you are interested in a referral to the Mental Health Resource Connection please talk to your child’s primary care provider or by filling out this form to get connected to care. You also can use our mental health resource finder to search for resources in your community.
On Our Sleeves
On Our Sleeves at Dayton Children’s is a program of the Kids Mental Health Foundation, which is leading the movement for children’s mental health — building a world where mental health is a vital part of every child’s upbringing.
Together, we are committed to making children’s mental health resources accessible to every family in our community. Through our partnership, we’re bringing trusted mental health resources for children directly to families and educators in our Dayton community.
Join the movement and you’ll get free monthly emails with simple tips, expert advice, and activities you can use to support the kids in your life.
our pediatric mental health specialists
Our pediatric mental health providers are dedicated to helping children and teens navigate emotional, behavioral, and psychological challenges with compassion and expertise. From therapy and psychiatry to crisis care and prevention, our team takes a collaborative, child-centered approach to support each family’s unique needs. Whether your child is just beginning their mental health journey or needs continued care, we’re here every step of the way.
mental health conditions we care for
pediatric mental health news and blogs
Stay up-to-date with the latest insights from Dayton Children’s Hospital. We’re always working to share helpful, real-world content for families navigating their mental health and wellness.
pediatric mental health patient stories
Real families, real healing. Whether it’s a child finding relief from anxiety or a teen learning to manage depression, our patients and families inspire us every day. Their stories offer hope, guidance and reassurance that we’re here to support your child’s emotional wellbeing every step of the way.
for your visit
Get checklists, resources, and helpful tips for before, during, and after your visit to Dayton Children’s—so you know exactly what to expect.
mental health resources
Use the resources below to connect with additional mental health support at Dayton Children’s and throughout the community.
If you or your child need immediate help due to having suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text the Crisis Text Line by texting “START” to 741-741. If there is an immediate safety concern, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Feeling lost about how to help kids with their mental health? Dayton Children’s has two free trainings to help you get started. These trainings are:
- Mental health first aid – full day class taught by an instructor
- QPR gatekeeper training – 1 hr self-paced online course
The Mental Health Resource Connection program connects patients and families to available mental health services in the community – striving to improve the mental health and wellness of children within our reach. This service is administered by social workers experienced in evaluating pediatric mental health needs and the services required to meet those needs.
If you need more help, the Community Resource Hub connects you to community services and resources to help your family reach optimal health.
On Our Sleeves, a national program of the Kids Mental Health Foundation, is leading the movement for children’s mental health, to build a world where mental health is a vital part of the upbringing of every child. Our mission is to give free expert-created resources to all U.S. communities so everyone can understand and promote mental health for children.
Interested in learning more about positive parenting, including raising resilient and confident children? Dayton Children’s is pleased to offer free education sessions to families about just that! Triple P, Positive Parenting Program, gives parents simple, practical, positive tips to help you bring out the best in your children.
The Comfort Ability Program (CAP) at Dayton Children’s is a fun, interactive, evidence-based workshop to help adolescents and their parents learn essential skills and strategies needed to manage chronic pain well. CAP is designed for families dealing with all kinds of chronic pain problems such as persistent headache or migraine, abdominal pain, nerve pain, joint pain, disease related pain, post-surgical pain, or any other kind of persistent pain.
Other organizations provide extensive educational materials for patients and families dealing with mental health issues. Our specialists encourage families to find support through the following websites and organizations.
find a psychologist online referral directory
Check out Ohio Psychological Association’s Find A Psychologist online referral search engine. Refine your search by geographic area, treatment area, population served, language, availability, practice orientation, ethnicity and/or gender.
Kids Mental Health Foundation
Additional national resources for mental health services are available from the Kids Mental Health Foundation.
hours and locations – mental health
View Dayton Children’s locations providing mental health services to kids throughout the region:
your child’s mental health matters
We’re here to help! Whether you’re looking for immediate help or ongoing support or resources to learn more, we’re here for you and your family. Get connected to care or use our mental health resource finder to search for resources in your community.
