Childrens Mental Health Services

Pediatric Mental Health

Mental disorders among children are described as serious changes in the way children typically learn, behave, or handle their emotions, which cause distress and problems getting through the day.

Many children occasionally experience fears and worries or display disruptive behaviors. If symptoms are serious and persistent and interfere with school, home, or play activities, a child may be diagnosed with a mental disorder.

However, Mental health is not simply the absence of a mental disorder. Children who don’t have a mental disorder might differ in how well they are doing, and children who have the same diagnosed mental disorder might differ in their strengths and weaknesses in how they are developing and coping, and in their quality of life. Mental health as a continuum and is best maintained with strong preventative education and skills.

childrensmh [at] createkidsedu [dot] org

The Services

01

Screenings

Anxiety screenings (GAD-7, SCARED), Depression Screenings (PHQ9M) , Self Harm Screenings (asQ), ADHD Screenings (Vanderbuilt), As well as food security, fitness and environmental reviews.

02

Prevention

Educational workshops on the nervous system and it's impact on mental health, family workshops and working groups, connection building events and activities.

03

Educational Basketball Games

Specialized basketball focused games that teach kids about the nervous system and body skills that can be used to cope.

04

Mentorship

One-on-one mentorship via our Basketball or Yoga Buddy programs, which pairs a local graduate student in a medical or mental health professional track.

Required enrollment documents

Our in-person pediatric mental health services are free but means tested and primarily for families in the Allapattah, Florida area. If you live in the area and would like receive pediatric mental health services at our facility get started by messaging us here.

*coming 2025

Our Services

"What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unshamed conversation."

Glenn Close

Approximately 50% of lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75% begin by age 24.

Nearly 1:5 kids in the United States has a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder. Children with special health care needs are at increased risk.

According to Children’s Mental Health (CDC), the following percentage of children at any given time experienced the following mental health problems in the United States:

ADHD: >9% (ages 2-17).
Behavioral problems: >7% kids (ages 3-17)
Anxiety: 7% (ages 3-17).
Depression: 3.2% (ages 3-17)

Mental health screenings allow for early identification and intervention and help bridge the gap.

We’ve found that early identification and treatment leads to better well-being for the child and entire family. Early treatment may also lessen long-term disability and prevent years of silent suffering.

Parents: You know your child best.

Early identification is important so that children can get the help they need. Make it a priority to teach your children that it is just as important to take care of your mental health as it is to take care of your physical health. If they are angry, worried or sad, shouldn’t be afraid to talk about their feelings and reach out to you, a trusted friend or adult. When a concern is present don’t hesitate to work with healthcare professionals.

Also keep in mind, Supporting children’s mental health also includes making sure children meet developmental milestones, understanding what to do when there is a concern, supporting positive parenting strategies, and improving access to care.

*Check out these CDC resources or some of the resources on our printables page or socials. They are so many tools to get started.

“When mental health is ultimately recognized as essential to physical health, not an extraneous element of it, then we will have access to true, complete, modern medicine.”

John Campo

The Challenge

All children are sad, anxious, irritable, or aggressive at times, and many find it occasionally challenging to sit still, pay attention, or interact with others. In most cases, these are just typical developmental phases. However, such behaviors may also indicate a more serious problem in some children. The priority is often to figure out if behavior is just a "stage".

The Goal

Create modes of purposeful play that remove stigma and prioritize connection so that the whole family feels capable of exploring mental health vulnerabilities.

When might children benefit from an evaluation?

Younger children

Older children

Have frequent tantrums or are irritable much of the time
Often seem fearful or worried
Complain about frequent stomachaches or headaches with no known medical cause
Are in constant motion and cannot sit quietly (except when they are engaged in an activity they enjoy, such as watching videos or playing video games)
Sleep too much or too little, have frequent nightmares, or seem sleepy during the day
Are not interested in playing with other children or have difficulty making friends
Struggle academically or have experienced a recent decline in grades
Repeat actions or check things many times (for example, repeatedly checking to make sure a door is locked) out of fear that something bad may happen

Have lost interest in things that they used to enjoy
Have low energy
Sleep too much or too little or seem sleepy throughout the day
Have periods of highly elevated energy and activity and require much less sleep than usual
Spend more and more time alone and avoid social activities with friends or family
Diet or exercise excessively or fear gaining weight
Engage in self-harm behaviors (such as cutting or burning their skin)
Smoke, drink, or use drugs
Engage in risky or destructive behavior alone or with friends
Have thoughts of suicide
Say that they think someone is trying to control their mind or that they hear things that other people cannot hear

More than just a joyful place

A community that cares for a child's mental, emotional and physical health.