Parents should expect that mental health professionals are sensitive to cultural and ethnic differences, and can address issues affecting diverse populations. There are so many different kinds of mental health providers . . . Social workers, mental health counselors, psychiatric nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists, among others, all have different kinds of training and skills, and provide different types of treatment. In therapy sessions, all of these mental health professionals help people talk about their experiences, thoughts and feelings, in order to solve personal and family problems and treat mental illness. Psychiatrists and other medical doctors can determine if there are other physical illnesses that may be contributing to the problem and can prescribe medicine when this is determined to be an important part of the treatment.
Medications are available that effectively treat mental illnesses that are severe or disabling.
They are often used in combination with therapy. Your family physician or school guidance counselor can help you assess what type of professional help you need. I know this is all going to be expensive . . . You may have some mental health coverage in your health insurance plan. But if your ability to pay is limited, you should be able to access community-based services.