There are many resources for help if your child is severely depressed or suicidal. If you choose to take advantage of the variety of state-provided assistance, be aware that resources differ if you child is legally a minor (under 18) or an adult (18 or older). If your child is applying for or attending college, there are specific issues to consider which are also covered in this section.
If your child is under 18
DIVISION OF CHILD MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE
CRISIS SERVICES/CHILD PRIORITY RESPONSE
Crisis Services/Child Priority Response provides 24/7 emergency acute-care services when a child (up to age 17) is in a mental health or substance abuse crisis and could cause harm to self or others — or has recently been exposed to a traumatic or violent event.
Treatment and intervention may occur (with parental/guardian consent) in the office, school, emergency rooms, church, family’s home, outpatient clinics and other community settings. These interventions could include the child or adolescent, the family, extended family, outpatient clinicians, teacher, clergy, friends, or other significant members of the family’s community.
Services include:
- Onsite response when needed
- Mental health risk assessment
- Intensive follow-up for child/family for up to 30 days in child’s home, school and community
- Short-term supervised crisis bed for clinical observation and safety when indicated
- Referral information and assistance for appropriate ongoing mental health and substance abuse treatment
Statewide Toll-Free Number: 1-800-722-7710
or
New Castle County (North of C&D Canal): 302-633-5128
New Castle County (South of C&D Canal): 1-800-969-HELP (4357)
Kent County & Sussex Counties: 302-424-HELP (4357)
If your child is 18 or over
DIVISION OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH
MENTAL HEALTH/CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES
http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dsamh/services.html
When a child transitions into adulthood, it’s often a difficult, emotional time. Suddenly young people who had been able to rely on parents, schools and medical providers may be left with few supports. They may lack insurance, a place to live and resources to support their basic needs. In addition, the medical providers and support services available to them as adolescents change when they become adults at age 18.
Mental Health Services
The state operates four community-based mental health clinics. These clinics will provide services to any and all individuals seeking mental health services, regardless of ability to pay. An individual needing a different type of service due to specialty or insurance status will be provided services until the clinic staff can link them to the more appropriate provider.
State-Funded Community Mental Health Centers
Claymont Community Center 302-792-2757
Dover Mental Health Center 302-857-5060
Georgetown Mental Health Center 302-856-5490
Wilmington Mental Health Center 302-778-6900
Crisis Intervention Services
What is Crisis Intervention Services?
The Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health offers Crisis Intervention Services (CIS) throughout the state in Community Mental Health Centers, Detoxification Centers and Emergency Rooms. CIS staff is available 24 hours a day to assist people 18 years and older with severe personal, family or marital problems. These problems may include depression, major life changes such as unemployment or loss of an important relationship, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, thoughts of suicide, delusions, paranoia, and substance abuse.
The goal of CIS is the prevention of unnecessary or inappropriate hospitalizations of a person with a mental illness or substance-related problems. CIS operates programs statewide and may be accessed through the following channels:
CIS New Castle County:
- Countywide office is located at 14 Central Avenue, New Castle Delaware. Call 302-577-2484 or 1-800-652-2929 for 24/7 access.
- CIS Staff is also available through C.A.P.E.S. (Crisis and Psychiatric Emergency Services) at the Wilmington Hospital Emergency Department through a joint venture with Christiana Care Health System and the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health. Call 302-428-2118.
CIS Kent and Sussex Counties:
- CIS staff is located in Milford and Ellendale to provide prompt response to all areas of Kent and Sussex. Hours of service are noon to 8 a.m. weekdays and 24 hours a day on weekends and holidays.
- During normal business hours, staff assigned to the Georgetown Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) and the Dover CMHC Front Door Teams will handle crisis calls. Staff may be accessed toll-free by calling 1-800-345-6785.
If your child is already in college:
- Keep the lines of communication open. Don’t be afraid to talk to him/her if you think that something is wrong. You may be in the best position to notice and address any difficulties that your child is having. Be persistent!
- Know the signs and symptoms of emotional disorders as well as the warning signs for suicide. It is common for mental health problems to appear for the first time during the college years, so you may want to familiarize yourself with their signs and symptoms.
- Encourage your child to go to the counseling center if one or both of you think it is necessary. Sometimes students can be reluctant to seek help because they are afraid that someone will find out. Reassure your child that counseling services are provided confidentially and that you support them as they reach out for assistance.
- Find out where to call at the college if you’re concerned about your child’s emotional well-being. It may be helpful to create a list of key campus contacts and keep it in a convenient place. Always keep the list up-to-date.
- Understand the circumstances under which the college will notify you regarding your child’s mental health.
If your child is applying to college:
- Think about the “fit” between a college and your child’s personality. Academics are important, but other aspects of a college (e.g., size, location, diversity, extracurricular activities) can affect how well your child thrives in all areas of college life.
- Understand what mental health services, policies and programs exist at your child’s prospective college(s), especially if he or she has an existing emotional disorder:
- What services are provided by the counseling center? Are there associated fees? Is there a maximum number of sessions allowed per year? Are there specialists (e.g., in treating eating disorders)? Is there a psychiatrist on staff? Does the counseling center provide off-campus referrals?
- Is there a counselor on call 24 hours a day? If not, what after-hours emergency services are available?
- Under what circumstances will the college notify you regarding your child’s mental health? What happens if you call the college with a concern about your child?
- Does the college train faculty, staff, resident advisors (RAs), etc., to identify and refer students in emotional distress?
- What kinds of educational programming (e.g., workshops, talks) are provided to students around mental health and wellness?
- What accommodations are available through disability services for students with emotional disorders?
- What is the policy around taking leaves of absence?
- Learn about other available support structures. Ask about tutoring, academic and peer advising, education coaching, student activities and career services. Understand how much support is available in the residence halls, such as the number of RAs. Find out how the college helps students to connect with one another.
Should you witness, hear, or see your child exhibiting warning signs of severe depression or suicide, get help immediately by contacting a mental health professional, calling the college’s emergency number or calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255), the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, for a referral.