Article Contributed on: 5/22/2009 12:36:39 PM
Every parent notices their children's scraped knees and broken bones, but mental health issues can be much harder to identify. While a child's mental health problems might not be apparent to those around them, it may very well be affecting their school performance and can lead to more serious issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, suicide and violence. Mental Health America, formerly known as the National Mental Health Association and the country's leading nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives, reports that one in five American children have a diagnosable mental health problem, yet almost two-thirds of these children receive little to no help. CHP+ wants to remind Colorado parents to take notice of their children's behavior in hopes of recognizing any signs of trouble as early as possible.
Parents play a very important role in monitoring and observing their children's mental health. They spend the most time with their children, observe them through all of the developmental stages and will notice if their behavior begins to change. According to Mental Health America, the following are the types of behaviors that parents need to pay attention to:
• Decline in school performance, including poor grades despite strong efforts.
• Constant worry or anxiety.
• Repeated refusal to go to school or to take part in normal activities.
• Hyperactivity or fidgeting.
• Persistent nightmares.
• Persistent disobedience or aggression.
• Frequent temper tantrums.
• Depression, sadness or irritability.
"Taking notice of the mental health of Colorado's children and teens is a critical first step for ensuring a stronger Colorado in the future," said Jeannie Ritter, First Lady of Colorado. "Children are our next teachers, parents and community leaders; so to be successful as adults, we need to make key investments now in their minds and bodies. CHP+ is helping to move Colorado toward that goal."
CHP+ is the state's free and low-cost health and dental insurance program for uninsured Colorado children ages 18 and under whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private health insurance. CHP+ pays for many health services for children including physicals, immunizations (shots), medications, well-child check ups, vision and hearing care, behavioral care, visits to the emergency room and doctor visits. CHP+ also offers comprehensive health care benefits to pregnant women through the CHP+ Prenatal Care Program.
"If parents notice anything out of the ordinary with their child's behavior, they should raise their concerns with the child's pediatrician as soon as possible," Colorado's First Lady Ritter further said. "Early intervention for mental health problems is essential to getting kids the help they need to have normal social interactions, succeed in school, and build good relationships. CHP+ is part of the solution - providing access to behavioral care for Colorado families."
CHP+ covers medically necessary mental and behavioral health care and alcohol and substance abuse services. Covered neurobiologically-based mental illnesses includes schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar affective disorder, major depressive disorder, specific obsessive compulsive disorder and panic disorder.
CHP+ covers outpatient and day treatment services including individual counseling, family counseling, group counseling and case management services. For questions about specific mental health coverage, please visit the CHP+ Web site at CHPplus.org.
CHP+ wants to ensure that children in Colorado with mental health issues can get immediate and quality health care. Visit the CHP+ Web site at CHPplus.org or call toll free at 1-800-359-1991 for more information. English and Spanish customer service representatives are there to help you with questions about eligibility or to get an application.