Mental Health

MENTAL HEALTH

Good mental health helps to protect against substance use disorders. Think of maintaining mental health just as you would physical health. If your child asks for therapy or shows any symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges, here are some things to keep in mind:

Keep your cool

Reassure your child (and yourself!) that successful treatments are available which can help them feel like themselves again. Don't panic.

Listen

Calmly discuss your child’s symptoms with them. It’s ok if their thoughts seem irrational or don’t make sense to you. Try not to trivialize, judge, or diagnose their thoughts or feelings. Let them know that you take them seriously.

It's not about you

Mental health challenges are common and not a result of poor parenting. You will not be blamed. But do be honest with yourself about any stigma or fear you may be feeling about seeking help for your child, and don't let it get in the way.

Enlist help

Reach out for professional help and support as soon as mental health challenges are getting in the way of your child’s ability to thrive. It may be outside your comfort zone, but finding lasting relief will be worth any short-term discomfort.

Not sure where to turn?

A call to your family physician can be a great place to start. There are also excellent local resources available to support your family, a few are highlighted below. There is also a more comprehensive list here, and a short list of hotlines for immediate help at the bottom of this page. Click on resource names to visit their website.

Mobile Crisis Team

UR Medicine Mental Health & Wellness

Call 2-1-1/LIFE LINE

(585) 529-3721

QUICK ACCESS - They come to you for urgent, non-life threatening crises to evaluate patients and link them to services
Click to see when to call 2-1-1 instead of going to the Psych Emergency Department

Tree of Hope Counseling

2300 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14610

585-500-9420

Network of independent providers offering various outpatient specialties
Private, takes insurance

Villa of Hope

3300 Dewey Avenue

Rochester, NY 14616

(585) 581-HOPE

Outpatient mental health and chemical dependency clinics
Residential programs
See Parent-Guardian Help (scroll down)

Genesee Mental Health Ctr

224 Alexander Street, Suite 100
Rochester, NY 14607

(585) 922-7770

QUICK ACCESS -Walk-in hours for ages 5-19 currently suspended in person, virtual walk-ins available, call 585-922-7270
Outpatient mental health services for people 18 and older
Sliding scale fees, third party insurance, Medicaid, financial assistance available