Mental Health, Drug, or Alcohol Issues: Helping your Child

As a parent, you want the best for your child, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Sometimes it can be hard to know what your child needs and where to go for help. Here are resources to help support your child’s mental and emotional health.

Know the Signs

To best support a child or teen’s mental health, drug, or alcohol issues, it’s important to notice the signs and know when and how to get help.

If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, learn the signs and how to offer support.

If your child or teen has had a violent or dangerous experience like natural disasters, abuse, or school violence, learn how to recognize the signs of traumatic stress in children and teens and how to help.

Many conditions, like serious mental illnesses, can start showing signs in tweens and teens. If you see worrying signs, talk to a doctor or mental health professional.

Learn about mental health issues with children and teens

As a parent or caregiver, you want the best for your children. Learn what to look for, what to do, and how to talk about mental health with your child.

Watch out for signs of bullying

Bullying can have lasting effects on a child's mental health. Being bullied in person or online can lead to a range of emotional and psychological challenges. Children who are bullied may have feelings of fear, anxiety, and depression.

If your child is being bullied, speak with their teacher, counselor, or school administrator to get help.

Stopbullying.gov has information for parents, educators, and communities on the prevention of bullying.

Help your child navigate social media

Check out these resources to support your understanding of social media and how to help your child make healthy choices in digital environments.

• Find practical ways to teach your child ages 2 to 10 about healthy media and technology (PDF | 315 KB)
• Get ideas on how to talk with tweens and teens about technology, social media, and video games (PDF | 196 KB)

Learn about drug and alcohol issues with children and teens

If your child or teen is having issues with drugs or alcohol, know the signs and learn how to get help.

• Get tips from our “Talk. They Hear You.” program which helps parents and caregivers start the conversation about drugs and alcohol.
• Start a conversation about vaping (e-cigarettes).
• Learn about teens and cannabis use.
• Get interactive activities from NIAAA for Middle School to reinforce key messages about peer pressure, resistance skills, and other important topics related to underage drinking.
• Get facts about teen drinking.

How to get help for your child or teen

If you need help for your child, there are resources to help:

• Find healthcare providers near you at FindTreatment.gov or by calling the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-622-4357.
• Discover support groups.
• Talk to a professional about how to help your child in crisis—these services provide support for all mental health, drug, and alcohol issues, not just emergencies.
• For help right away, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You'll be able to speak with a trained crisis counselor any time of day or night.

If you have a family doctor or pediatrician and are comfortable speaking with them, reach out for insights, treatment, and recommendations.

Some schools have school-based health centers, which can also be a good resource for children and teens dealing with mental health, drug, or alcohol issues.

You can also find healthcare based on the type of insurance you have—or if you don’t have insurance— get advice on how to pay for care.

Help children and teens cope with a loved one’s mental health, drug, or alcohol issues

When a family member struggles with mental health, drug, or alcohol issues, it’s important to acknowledge that it impacts the whole family—especially children and teens. If you know of a child or teen in this situation, you can encourage them to talk to a health care provider, school counselor, a support group for friends and family, and other community support.

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