How is mental illness in children treated?

Common treatments for children who have mental health conditions include:

• Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy or behavior therapy, involves talking with a psychologist or other mental health professional. With young children, psychotherapy may include playtime or games. During psychotherapy, children and teens learn how to talk about and manage thoughts and feelings. They learn new behaviors and coping skills.
• Medicines. Your child's healthcare or mental health professional may suggest a medicine as part of the treatment plan. This medicine might be a stimulant, an antidepressant, an anti-anxiety medicine, an antipsychotic or a mood stabilizer. The healthcare professional most often reviews the hoped for benefits, possible risks and side effects of the medicine.