Parenting is an ongoing balancing act, filled with the challenges of managing work, household responsibilities, and the emotional and physical needs of each family member. But when one of your children begins to struggle with serious mental health issues, that balance can be quickly and dramatically disrupted. Whether your child is dealing with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, or other serious mental health disorders, the emotional toll can be overwhelming—and you're not alone in feeling that way.
At Innerspace Counseling, we work closely with parents and families navigating exactly these kinds of crises. Through evidence-based treatment options like our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), we provide a structured, therapeutic environment where children, adolescents, and adults can receive the care they need while continuing to live at home. We also integrate powerful treatment models like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to support emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and improved interpersonal skills.
If you're a parent trying to hold it all together while one of your children is in crisis, this guide is for you.
Prioritizing When Your Child Is in Crisis
Mental health crises look different for every child and family. For some, it’s the slow realization that something isn’t right: a persistent sadness, withdrawal from activities, or increasing irritability. For others, it’s a sudden incident—self-harm, suicidal ideation, or a severe anxiety attack—that shakes the family to its core.
When these moments arise, they demand your full attention. Mental health issues are just as serious as physical illnesses and deserve the same level of urgency and care. If your child were experiencing a life-threatening physical condition, you wouldn’t hesitate to act. The same principle applies here.
If your child expresses suicidal thoughts or engages in self-harming behaviors, it is critical to act immediately:
Pause everything else. Your presence matters more than anything in that moment.
Seek professional support right away. Contact a therapist, psychiatrist, or call a crisis hotline.
Treat the situation seriously and without delay. Their safety and emotional well-being depend on timely intervention.
At Innerspace Counseling, we offer immediate assessments and admission to our PHP or IOP programs for children and adolescents in need of urgent care. These programs offer intensive therapy in a safe, supportive environment, helping your child stabilize and develop essential coping skills for long-term recovery.
Balancing Work and Home Life
When your child is going through a mental health crisis, your work-life balance can begin to unravel. It may feel impossible to meet professional expectations while also being fully present for your child. While challenging, there are steps you can take to make this period more manageable:
Be honest with your employer. You don’t need to go into detail, but explaining that your family is dealing with a significant mental health situation can help build understanding and flexibility. Many employers offer mental health care leave or flexible work arrangements.
Leverage workplace resources. If available, use sick days, family leave, or remote work options to create more space in your schedule.
Ask for help. Lean on your friends or family for support. Accept offers of meals, rides, or childcare for your other children. You don’t have to do this alone.
At Innerspace Counseling, we recognize that mental health support should extend beyond the individual. Our programs include family involvement as part of the treatment plan, helping to ensure that parents feel supported, informed, and equipped to be part of their child’s recovery journey.
Supporting Siblings During a Mental Health Crisis
When one child is in crisis, it's natural for others in the family to feel overlooked. This shift in attention can be confusing or upsetting, especially for younger children. But there are ways to keep siblings feeling connected and valued, even in the midst of chaos:
Make individual time. Even five to ten minutes of one-on-one attention can help your other children feel seen and supported.
Be transparent. Use age-appropriate language to explain what’s happening. This builds empathy and understanding within the family.
Involve them in low-stress support. Encourage them to contribute in small, meaningful ways—like helping pack a bag for therapy or picking music for the car ride. These gestures foster connection and inclusion.
Many families that come to Innerspace Counseling report that our PHP and IOP programs actually improve family dynamics. With your child receiving intensive treatment during the day or after school, you gain more structured time to reconnect with your other children and restore some equilibrium to your household.
Knowing When to Let Go of Other Priorities
Sometimes, the most important thing you can do is drop everything and focus on your child. It’s okay to cancel plans, take time off, or say no to commitments that no longer feel manageable. Prioritizing your child’s mental health doesn’t mean you’re failing in other areas—it means you’re doing exactly what’s needed in the moment.
Remember, this doesn’t have to be permanent. Crisis moments are just that—moments. With the right treatment options, your child can get better. Our Intensive Outpatient Program and Partial Hospitalization Program provide the kind of structured, evidence-based care that helps individuals recover and thrive.
Through DBT, children and teens learn how to navigate overwhelming thoughts and feelings without resorting to harmful behaviors. CBT provides tools for recognizing and challenging distorted thinking patterns that can lead to anxiety or depression. At Innerspace Counseling, these therapeutic approaches are tailored to each child’s unique needs.
You Are Not Alone
If you’ve been feeling like you’re holding everything together with a thread, please know: that’s normal. Parenting a child with mental health problems is incredibly difficult. But with the right support, it’s also manageable—and your child’s future is not defined by this moment.
At Innerspace Counseling, our team of experienced therapists and psychiatrists works collaboratively to create personalized treatment plans for every individual. Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders, we offer evidence-based care that focuses on both symptom reduction and skill-building.
And we don’t stop at treating symptoms. We equip your child—and your family—with long-term tools for success, from mindfulness exercises and distress tolerance to emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness.
The Power of Intensive Care
You might be wondering whether your child needs something more than weekly therapy. If traditional outpatient care hasn’t been enough, it may be time to consider a higher level of care. Our PHP offers full-day therapeutic programming without requiring overnight stays, while our IOP is ideal for those who need several hours of therapy per week but can still attend school or maintain a flexible routine.
Both programs at Innerspace Counseling include group therapy, individual counseling, family sessions, and psychiatric care as needed. We specialize in treating children, adolescents, and adults with complex mental health disorders, and our multidisciplinary team ensures your child receives holistic, compassionate care.
Final Thoughts
You don't have to do this alone. Supporting a child through a mental health crisis is one of the hardest things a parent can face—but with the right tools, resources, and community, it’s possible to navigate this season with strength and clarity.
At Innerspace Counseling, we are committed to being that resource for you. Whether you're looking for a Dialectical Behavior Therapy program to help your teen regulate their emotions or an Intensive Outpatient Program for your child struggling with depression, we are here to walk this journey with you—every step of the way.
Your child’s mental health matters. And so does yours.