For Families

If you have concerns about your child’s mental health, your child’s primary care provider (PCP) can help. It’s important to mention any concerns you or your child may have to your child’s PCP as soon as they arise. Pediatric PCPs consider your child’s mental health as important as physical health.

You can of course see a mental health specialist without talking to your child’s PCP; however, your child’s PCP is familiar with the most common mental health problem’s children face and can be a helpful place to start to address any concerns. Keeping your child’s PCP informed of mental health issues and treatment supports positive health outcomes for your child.

In Rhode Island, your child’s PCP can access support and information about treating children’s mental health problems through the Pediatric Psychiatry Resources Network (PediPRN) and can call to consult with a PediPRN child psychiatrist or another mental health specialist to obtain advice, resources, and/or referral information to help your child get the treatment they need.