Children’s Mental Health Action Network (CMHAN)

 “Road Map” Gives Parents Hope and Help

When a child or adolescent is struggling with mental disorder, parents or caregivers often don’t know where to turn for help and support. The Children’s Mental Health Action Network, a coalition of parent advocates in Harris County, including ADDA-SR, has developed a guide based on the experiences of parents coping day to day.  The step-by-step resource guide offers suggestions for coping and where to find community resources and support. The idea is that parents become educated advocates for their child and actively partner with their doctors, schools and other support team members. Parents can become empowered and there is hope for recovery.

The guide identifies several “stops on the road to recovery”, including:  finding mental health care professionals, testing and diagnosis, understanding and supporting your child at home, forming a support team, parent education, partnering with schools, and crisis management.  In the Resource section there is a brief description of the many services offered through support organizations, clinics, hospitals, schools, public assistance programs, books and websites. Professionals and educators reviewed the guide including John Sargent, M.D., Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine, Robbie Sharp, Ph.D., and Becky Millikin, Ed.D.

Click on the link below for a downloadable PDF document of the guide.  Printed copies may also be obtained from the Mental Health Association and other coalition member organizations.