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For children, there are signs that may show a need for specialty mental health services. If one or more of the problems below is present in a house where a child resides, specialty mental health services may be needed. Please contact Hope Horizon Mental Health to request additional information or make an appointment for an assessment.

• Parents who feel overwhelmed or who have mental health issues
• Violence or disruption in the house or other exposure to trauma such as physical or sexual abuse
• A major source of family stress, such as divorce or death of family member
• Abuse of drugs or alcohol by a family member or someone in the home
• Unusual or difficult behavior by the child

• Displays unusual changes in emotions and behavior
• Difficulty getting along with other children or has no friends
• Is doing poorly in school, misses school frequently or does not want to attend school
• Has frequent minor illnesses or complaints of illnesses
• Seems fearful or becomes suddenly withdrawn or angry
• Is aggressive
• Fearful of being away from primary caregiver
• Has frequent bad dreams
• Has difficult falling or staying asleep, wakes during the night
• Suddenly refuses to be alone with a certain family member or close friend or acts upset around specific family members
• Displays affection inappropriately or makes abnormal sexual gestures or remarks
• Refuses to eat
• Is frequently tearful

You may contact Hope Horizon Mental Health for an assessment or referral for your child if you feel he or she is showing any of the signs noted above. If your child qualifies for Tulare County Medi-Cal, Healthy Families or fits into one of our Specialty Grant funded programs, we will arrange for your child to receive an assessment for services. If your child does not qualify for one of our programs, we can help connect you with another appropriate community provider.

Between the ages of 12 and 18, teens face numerous stressors and pressures. Some unusual behavior by an adolescent or young adult person may be related to the physical and psychological changes taking place as they become an adult. This population is establishing a sense of identity and shifting from relying on adults to facing independence. A parent or concerned friend may have difficulty deciding between what is “normal behavior” and what may be signs of emotional or mental health problems requiring professional help.

• Pulls back from usual family, friend, and/or normal activities
• Experiences an unexplained decline in school performance
• Neglects personal appearance and hygiene
• Significant weight gain or loss
• Running away from home
• Overly rebellious or aggressive behaviors
• Physical illness complaints or symptoms with no apparent illness
• Suspected use of drugs or alcohol

You may contact Hope Horizon Mental Health for an assessment or referral for your teen if you feel he or she is showing any of the signs noted above. If your child qualifies for Tulare County Medi-Cal, Healthy Families or fits into one of our Specialty Grant funded programs, we will arrange for your child to receive an assessment for services. If your child does not qualify for one of our programs, we can help connect you with another appropriate community provider.