Information for Children, Teens and Their Families

Emotional health matters for children and teens. It can affect their educational development and ability to connect with friends and family. Emotional health can also affect their ability to cope with life's setbacks.

In New York, we offer a range of services to help identify emotional health needs and to provide treatment or support. It is a fact that children can and do recover from even the most serious emotional disturbances.

Mental Health Treatment & Support Services

• OMH Services for Children and Families
  Learn more about treatment programs, residences, and community support services. Includes Children’s Single Point of Access (C-SPOA) coordination forms.
• Find a Mental Health Program
  Use this directory to find a program in your area.
• Childrens Medicade Managed Care Transition
  Learn more about the transition of New York's health care delivery system for individuals under 21. Subscribe to the Children's LISTSERV®
• NYS County Contacts
  Directory of CLMHD regional representatives, including C-SPOA contact information.
• Project Teach
  Provides maternal and pediatric primary care clinicians with consultations, mental health referrals and other resources.
• OMH Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) Criteria
  Definition of SED in New York State.

Families and Caregivers

Families Together in New York State
Providing New York families with support and advocacy.
Federation of Families
Offering families a voice in developing national policy, services, and supports for their children with mental health needs.
Sesame Street in Communities
Discover games, videos, and more on topics important to you and your child.

Teens and Young Adults

• Mental Health is Health
  This initiative aims to normalize conversation, create a connection to resources and inspire action on mental health.
• Transition Age Youth
  A compilation of resources for young people transitioning to adulthood, their families and service providers.
• Youth Power!
  Working to ensure young people have meaningful involvement on all levels of the services they receive.

Mental Health Resources and Information

• Mental Health and Wellness Information
  Resources to help New Yorkers understand mental wellness, cope with everyday stress, and stay resilient.
• Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens
  Learn more about bipolar disorder: what it is, how it is treated and how you can help your child or teen.
• Suicide Prevention in New York Schools
  This guidance outlines best practices for school districts to help protect the health and safety of all students.
• Teen Depression
  Depression is real. Know signs and symptoms of depression and how to ask for help.