Lois and John Orr Family Behavioral Health Center

We offer outpatient consultation to children and adolescents dealing with the stress of a chronic medical condition, anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. We also provide consultation for children admitted for medical and/or surgical care who may also be experiencing emotional or mental health issues, including inpatient services at our Akron campus.

If your child or teen is experiencing a mental health crisis, our behavioral health emergency services, located within Akron Childrens' emergency departments, is dedicated to evaluating and treating children and teens who present with mental and behavioral problems.

Conditions that may lead to a referral to pediatric psychiatry/psychology include developmental or emotional problems, traumatic stress, sexual or physical abuse, psychological components of physical illness, learning problems, changes in dietary habits or suicidal concerns.

Anxiety and Depression

• Akron Children's to begin making AI-based mental health app available to patients
• Akron Children's Hospital, Woebot Health team up to launch mental health app for teens
• Dealing with back-to-school stress and anxiety
• Behavioral Health: Meet the Horvat Family
• Is your child just moody or truly depressed?
• What is the difference between anxiety and stress?
• What are the signs of depression in children and teens?
• How can I help when my child is dealing with depression?
• How can I help my child with depression while they are waiting for an appointment?
• How can we help kids and teens suffering from anxiety?
• How much anxiety is normal before treatment is needed?
• Parents, experts warn about dangers of social media as kids head back to school
• When a child's anxiety is affecting their sleep
• Handling a child's test anxiety
• Shopping, anxiety mark the start of the new school year
• Dealing with grief in children and teens
• Your child's anxiety level and when to seek help
• Signs of possible depression in children

Behavioral Health And Nutrition

• Children sneaking food
• Anxiety related to eating habits
• Appropriate portions of food
• Children keep asking for junk food
• Eating while watching devices
• Good foods vs. bad foods
• How to guide children to have healthy eating habits
• Mood and food
• Motivation and commitment devices
• Research on motivating children
• Routines help children eat healthier
• Setting up for successful diets at home
• Simple ways to exercise for your health
• Subtle habits that lead to unhealthy diets
• Teens sneaking food
• The Healthy Active Living program
• Ways to handle a picky eater

Substance Abuse Disorders

• Three most commonly abused substances
• Children with depression and anxiety may turn to substances to cope
• Risk factors for developing a substance use disorder
• Lock up the liquor when throwing a home party with teens
• Understanding drug terms used by your child
• Asking your child what they know about drugs and alcohol
• Talking to kids about a possible substance use disorder
• What is Substance Use Disorder (SUD)?
• Finding marijuana in your child's room
• When and how do I begin talking to kids about drugs and alcohol
• Setting expectations for teens and school parties
• Talking to your children about a family history of substance use disorders
• Discussing your nicotine use with your kids
• When your child is defensive or dishonest about substance use
• How to be a "curious questioner" with your child about suspicious behavior
• Getting a substance abuse disorder assessment for your child
• What should you do if find a substance in your child’s room?
• Resources for children diagnosed with a substance use disorder
• Substance use disorder is developing earlier in today’s adolescents
• What to do if your child comes home drunk or high
• Providing teens with guardrails for their freedom
• Balancing safety and freedom when talking to teens about substance abuse
• Teen binge drinking in high school and college
• Keep conversations with teens open and real
• How do I know my child has a substance use disorder?

Other Behavioral Health Concerns

• Psychologist offers tips for navigating discussions with children about political ads
• Helping kids deal with bullying as they return to school
• Getting your child to sleep through the night
• Managing stress after baby arrives
• Hypnosis and child psychiatry
• Kids and imaginary friends
• When is my child ready for a digital device?
• When should I give my child a cell phone?
• What social media guardrails should I set for my child?
• How much screen time should kids have?
• How can I help my child deal with cyberbullies?
• Stalling at bedtime
• Why psychologists are involved with chronic pain management
• Keeping siblings from falling through the cracks
• Helping the child that says, "You don't understand!"
• Helping children fall asleep on their own
• Cultivating resiliency in children
• Consistent bedtime routines help children sleep
• Screen time
• The defiant child
• Kids and activities
• Understanding and preventing bullying
• Reassurance and communication are the keys to resolving childhood fears
• Child mental health issues can go unnoticed
• News of school shootings can have a traumatic impact on children
• Expert offers advice for talking to children about traumatic events
• Helping children deal with negative thoughts

• What's Worrying America's Kids
• 20% of Teens Have Mental Illness; Only 20% Seek Help
• 5 Ways to Beat the Stress of Competition
• 5 Ways to Help Kids Deal with Stress
• Explaining Scary News to Kids
• 99 Healthy Coping Skills
• Having Open and Meaningful Conversations with Kids and Teens
• TikTok Trends: Keeping Kids Safe
• Encouraging Words for Kids
• Ways to Help Build Resilience in Kids
• Words of Empowerment for Family Caregivers
• Every Day is Suicide Prevention Day
• Feelings and Coping Skills Puzzles
• Mental Health Book Recommendations
• Recommended Mental Health Apps
• Store It Safe -- Prevent Suicide
• The Trevor Project - information & support to LGBTQ + young people 24/7
• In crisis? Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor 24/7
• Feeling depressed? Text CONNECT for free 24/7 help
• Let's Talk Feeling Catcher
• For teens: 10 Ways to Manage Everyday Stress