Prevention
A. EARLY EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - Joan Luby, M.D.
The Early Emotional Development Program was founded in 1998 and is directed by Joan Luby, M.D., a child psychiatrist who specializes in the identification and treatment of early onset mental disorders. The Early Emotional Development Program encompasses clinical and research programs focused on the mental health and emotional development of very young children. The program’s mental health services and research studies focus primarily on helping children from infancy through the preschool period (up to age six).

B. FIRST CONTACT ASSESSMENT SERVICE - Angela Reiersen, M.D.
Dr. Reiersen is the child & adolescent psychiatry assessment supervisor for the First Contact Assessment Service, which evaluates youth who may be showing early signs of a possible psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia. Some children with a combination of motor problems and psychiatric symptoms may also benefit from evaluation. This program generally does not follow patients over time, but provides evaluation reports to the referring physician or psychotherapist. In order to make sure those most in need of evaluation can be seen promptly, telephone screening questions are used to determine whether this type of evaluation is appropriate. To arrange for telephone screening, call 314-286-1740 and ask about the First Contact program.

C. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS CLINIC - John N. Constantino, M.D.
An intervention and prevention service for children at risk for enduring abnormalities of social development including autism spectrum disorders, and antisocial patterns of behavior (aggression, violence). Comprehensive assessment, intervention planning, interface with the educational system and parent education (groups and individual-based) are core components of the program. For more information, contact 314-747-6758.

Resources

Education and Support

Below is a partial listing of trusted sources of information regarding child mental health and development.
  • American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) - the leading national professional medical association dedicated to treating and improving the quality of life for children, adolescents, and families affected by mental, behavioral, or developmental disorders.
  • American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - an organization of 60,000 pediatricians committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
  • Autism Speaks – the official Web site the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research, raising public awareness and bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of autistic spectrum disorders.
  • Missouri Families for Effective Autism Treatment (MO-FEAT) - provides education, advocacy, and support for families and the autism community and to promote early diagnosis and effective autism treatment.
  • National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) - the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. Founded in 1979, NAMI has affiliates in every state and in more than 1,100 local communities across the country.
  • Zero to Three - is a national nonprofit organization that informs, trains and supports professionals, policymakers and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers.

Links to additional sources of mental health care for children in our region

A. St. Louis Children’s Hospital:  Psychology Department
 
Adolescent Center
 
HIV/AIDS Project ARK
 
B. Missouri Department of Mental Health – Network of Care - provides vital information to help link consumers to mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse support groups and personal advocacy resources in the community.
 
C. BJC Behavioral Health - an affiliated member of BJC HealthCare offering comprehensive community-based behavioral health services to children and adults in the St. Louis metropolitan area and in the Missouri counties of Washington, Iron and St. Francois.
 
D. Center for Trauma Recovery, UMSL - the multi-disciplinary center of the University of Missouri-St. Louis whose purpose is to foster Research, Graduate and Undergraduate Education, and Service (by way of a specialized Trauma Clinic) in the areas of trauma and victimization.
 
E. Grace Hill – Children’s Developmental Center - provides a team of specialists to evaluate and treat the medical, psychological, and social needs of children from infancy through beginning high school, working with both parents and the school system to help manage developmental, behavioral or emotional problems that may be affecting the child. The CDC provides individualized assessments and treatment, which may include individual, family, and/or group therapy.