Topeka, Kan. – Feeling anxious or worried isn’t unusual for children and adolescents. However, for some children, those feelings become overwhelming and they get stuck in their worried thoughts. And, sometimes, children are facing other mental health issues which are showing up as defiance, acting up in school, school refusal and anger.
If you think your child might be distressed or having behavior problems, come to the free mental health screening Wednesday, March 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Washburn University’s Psychological Services Clinic.
At Washburn’s Psychological Services Clinic, graduate students will have parents complete a standardized questionnaire that will help them to understand whether their child’s emotional reactions and behaviors are typical for their child’s age or whether the child might benefit from help managing difficult emotions and behaviors.
“This is a confidential screening and it is absolutely free and there is absolutely no obligation,” said Dr. Cindy Turk, chair of the psychology department. “However, if therapy might help, our clinic offers a low-cost option or we can refer you to other resources in the area.”
For those children suffering with anxiety or behavior problems, it’s important to get help as soon as possible, Turk said. Not obtaining treatments can have serious consequences on both the child’s development and self-esteem.
“Mental health issues can cause problems in school and strain family or peer relationships,” she said. “They can lead to more serious problems for the child down the road.”
Information is available outside of the clinic in Henderson Hall, Room 111 or parents can call the clinic at (785) 670-1750 for more information. The screenings are done privately inside the clinic and parents are welcome to come alone or bring their child or adolescent. Parents can choose to fill out the screening questionnaire describing their child’s issues without the child present if that is more comfortable or convenient.
“Once again, the screening is free and all calls and services are confidential,” Turk said. “And, for parents who decide to have their child or adolescent pursue therapy at our clinic, the cost is just $10 per weekly session.”
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