Article verified for accuracy by:
Cass Brown Capel, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
July 25, 2024
Desiree Coniglio, PMHNP
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
July 25, 2024
It is almost time to go back to school! That means it’s time to start getting your children ready with school supplies, vaccines, and sports physicals. One thing that is also important to think about when preparing for the new school year is your child’s mental health. There is no better time to talk about this than at your child’s annual Well-Child Exam.
What is a Well-Child Exam?
A Well-Child Exam is a yearly checkup for children up to 18 years old to make sure they are on the right track for health and growth. During these appointments, you can talk with your child’s provider about any vaccines that they need for school as well as any other recommendations. Read more about what to expect at a Well-Child Exam HERE.
This appointment is also a great time to talk to their provider about your child’s behavioral and mental health. This includes topics such as:
- Stress & anxiety
- Sadness or irritability
- ADHD behaviors (chronic restlessness, impulsiveness, trouble focusing)
- OCD behaviors
- Autism
- Mentions of self-harm or suicide, comments about wishing they were dead
- Self-harming behaviors (cutting, head banging, pinching or punching themselves)
- Sleep problems
- Problems with schoolwork
- And more
You might be given a Staying Healthy Assessment before their Well-Child appointment to help your child’s provider get a wider background of your child’s health. However, feel free to bring up any questions or concerns you have for your child’s health during the actual visit.
Why should I talk to my child’s provider about their mental health?
Growing up can be stressful and school adds another layer of stress to a child’s life. It is important to check in with your child regularly to see how they are doing. Bringing your child’s provider into the discussion lets them share resources and advice on what to look out for. This builds a partnership that helps with any treatment but also with early identification and preventive care as your child continues to grow.
Talking to your child’s provider about their mental health lets your child know that it is important to you and their provider. They can learn more about things that can improve their mental health. They will be more comfortable talking about and getting help for mental health if they or someone else need it.
Should I wait until my child’s Well-Child Visit to talk about their mental health?
It is important to be aware of and talk about your child’s mental health year-round. Some things to keep an eye out for include:
- Changes in eating habits
- Weight loss or gain (more than 5% of their body weight in a month)
- Changes in behavior
- Harmful or destructive behavior
- Trouble sleeping
- Changes in social behavior
- Isolation
If you notice any of these symptoms in your child, schedule time with your child’s provider. You can also talk with their care group such as teachers, babysitters, etc. to see if they have noticed these changes or any others. The more information you can share with your child’s provider, the better they can prepare a plan to help your child start feeling better.
If you suspect your child is at risk of harming themselves or others, call 988 at once.
How can I schedule a Well-Child or provider visit for my child?
You can schedule a Well-Child or a routine office visit with your child’s Chapa-De provider quickly and easily through the Healow app or our Patient Portal. Use the scheduling option when you log in and select the next available appointment that works for you and your child.
Learn more about your child’s Well-Child schedule with Partnership Healthplan HERE.
Chapa-De Indian Health Auburn Grass Valley | Medical Clinic
PASSIONATE PEOPLE. COMPASSIONATE CARE.
Chapa-De provides medical care, dental care, optometry, behavioral health, pharmacy services and much more.
Serving all American Indian, Low Income and Limited Income Community Members
