What Are My First Steps to Getting Help?  

One out of 5 children experience a mental health challenge in any given year.  The good news is YOU can make a difference in your child's life by getting help early. 

What Do I Do If  I'm Concerned about my Child?

STEP 1:  Learn about child development

Every child needs to be nurtured from the inside out to develop the socio-emotional, physical and cognitive skills needed to be successful in learning and in life. Children are more likely to overcome mental health symptoms with their parent or caregiver's support and commitment to finding the right services.

STEP 2: Talk to your healthcare provider

Talk with your child's doctor, counselor, family, teacher, family support staff, early intervention specialist, or healthcare provider.

STEP 3: Contact the Washington Mental Health Referral Service for Children

This service is funded by Washington State, and administered by Seattle Children's. It is free to you.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:000000253 EndHTML:000019664 StartFragment:000018451 EndFragment:000019578 StartSelection:000018451 EndSelection:000019568 SourceURL:https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/washington-mental-health-referral-service/family/ How to Use the Mental Health Referral Service

STEP 3:  Get Ready to Ask Questions

Before you visit a therapist/mental health services provider it is helpful to write down some questions that you want to ask:

• Do you involve parents (or guardians) in the counseling process?
• Do you provide family therapy? How do you decide if this is needed?
• What criteria do you use to determine whether or not a child needs medication? To whom do you refer for this type of assessment?
• If my child needs special accommodations at school, do you assist in making these arrangements?
• How flexible is your appointment schedule? Do you offer after school/ evening/Saturday appointments?
• If you or I decide that you and my child might not work well together, will you be able to suggest other referrals?
• What is your training and experience working with Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health, as well as working with families from diverse backgrounds?
• My child has been having some problems in the following areas... (Provide examples of the behaviors that concern you).

STEP 4: Crisis Services

Any student or parent can also text HOME to 741741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800-273-8255, from anywhere in the U.S.

If you or a family member has a problem with a substance use disorder, please consider calling the Washington Recovery Help Line, 866-789-1511.

Anyone can call the Volunteers of America Care Crisis Line at 1-800-584-3578.  This service is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week-- and it is free. They can connect you to a mental health provider and may also have your child evaluated in their home.

Step 5. Consider Community Counseling Providers

Please note: Mukilteo School District does not formally recommend specific therapists or counseling practices. The following resources are provided for your information and do not constitute a recommendation.

Catholic Community Services

North Sound Behavioral Health Office

800-684-3555

CCS provides community mental health services to Medicaid eligible children and their families in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish Counties. After an initial assessment and determination of need for ongoing help, core mental health services available at CCS include individual and/or family counseling/therapy, medication evaluation/management and coordination with primary care physicians, and case management.

Sea Mar Behavioral Health

1820 110^th St SE, Ste B

Everett, WA 98208

425-312-0202

Therapists at Sea Mar clients of any age, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation and regardless of income, occupation, gender, immigration status, or citizenship status. Many staff speak more than one language, help them better serve diverse communities.

Compass Health

Lynnwood Office

4807 196th St SW, Suite 100

Lynnwood, WA 98036

425-774-4269

Child and Family Outpatient services provide an array of counseling and support services to families with children and youth who may have emotional and/or behavioral challenges. Compass Health services are designed to promote positive changes in behavior, help the child /youth and family learn appropriate coping skills, improve communication skills including learning to resolve conflict and manage emotions in a healthy manner.

Compass Health services are tailored to meet the developmental needs of the child and youth and we work to involve family members including foster parents and guardians when that will benefit the client. We offer individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy using evidenced-based practices as well as case management services to coordinate with schools, Children’s Administration, juvenile justice and other systems that are involved with the particular client.

Providence Grief Support Services for Children/Teens

2731 Wetmore Ave, Suite 500

Everett, WA 98201

Phone: 425-261-4807

Providence Grief Support Services offers support for children who are facing or have experienced the loss of a loved one. Each child’s needs are unique. Master’s level counselors provide compassionate and knowledgeable support for grieving children and their families.

The child and teen grief support program is designed to offer a variety of education and support opportunities, including phone consultations, grief support groups, activities and workshops, and individual sessions in the office, home, or school setting, as well as helpful educational material.

Everett Clinic Behavioral Health

Multiple locations

425-259-0966

Everett Clinic offers short-term counseling to provide relief from the problems a child may be experiencing. Or if clinically necessary, your child may benefit from therapies associated with longer-term care. Parents are welcome to participate with their children in treatment sessions.

• School avoidance/Getting into trouble at school
• Disorganized or chronically performing poorly at school
• Experiencing teasing or bullying
• Trouble making or keeping friends
• Overly angry
• Challenging your rules or ignoring your requests
• Irritable or withdrawn from family and friends