When your child’s behavior negatively affects their life — at home, at school, or with friends — figuring out how to help them can feel like a daily struggle. UPMC Western Behavioral Health Services supports children, teens, and their families through behavioral health challenges.
Our experienced care teams understand a broad range of behavioral health conditions in children and teens. We’ll meet with your child and identify their unique needs. Then we’ll work with you to create a personalized plan to help them thrive.
Behavioral health issues can look different in every child. It’s not unusual for a child to have more than one challenge. Our experts assess and treat children and teens facing these mental health concerns:
It’s normal for children and teens to feel stressed, worried, or sad from time to time. When those feelings persist or interfere with daily life, they may be signs of anxiety or depression. These are common mental health conditions that can affect a child’s thoughts, feelings, behavior, and daily life.
Early evaluation and treatment can help them better understand and manage their symptoms.
Your child may have trouble paying attention, managing emotions, or getting along with others. These issues might cause them to struggle at school or at home. Treatment can help your child learn coping skills, improve behavior, and better handle challenges.
This developmental condition affects how your child communicates and interacts with others. Autism affects each child differently. While there is currently no cure, early diagnosis and individualized support can help children and teens develop skills, build confidence, and reach their full potential.
It’s normal for children to act out sometimes. For some children, angry outbursts, aggression, or tantrums can persist and be disruptive, not just at home but at school and with friends. Early intervention and treatment can help children manage their behaviors.
Extreme shifts in mood, energy, and behavior may be signs of bipolar disorder in a child or teen. These “highs” and “lows” can affect relationships, school performance, and daily life. Early evaluation and treatment can help manage symptoms and support healthy development.
Early psychosis typically begins during the late teen and young adult years. Warning signs may include unusual beliefs, increased suspicion, or seeing or hearing things that others do not. Early recognition and treatment can improve outcomes and support healthy development.
Signs that a child or teen is struggling with an eating disorder can include changes in eating habits, unusual concerns about weight or body image, or shifts in mood, energy, and social behavior. Conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorders, and other eating disorders can seriously affect both physical and emotional health.
A child with OCD may have intense, frequent thoughts, fears, or mental images that result in compulsive behavior. These compulsions often make them very anxious and affect their daily lives. OCD is a treatable medical condition. Getting help early can reduce the severity of symptoms.
Substance use is a common concern among children and teens. While some young people experiment with alcohol or drugs, it can be hard to recognize when use is becoming more serious. When substance use begins to affect a young person’s health, relationships, or daily life, professional support can help.
Trauma can develop after a single event or ongoing experiences that leave a child or teen feeling frightened, overwhelmed, or unsafe. Changes in mood, behavior, sleep, school performance, or relationships may be signs they are struggling. Evaluation and treatment can help children and teens better understand and manage their responses to trauma.
Behavioral health issues can happen at any age. Children and adolescents need specialized care tailored to their individual needs. Our team is dedicated to supporting the emotional, psychological, and behavioral health of your child.
We can make a difference in your child’s life.
For a mental health emergency, call 988.
For an appointment near you, call Western Behavioral Health’s main phone number at 1-877-624-4100 or 412-624-1000.
UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital
3811 O’Hara St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Call 412-624-1000 or toll free 1-877-624-4100.
Call our resolve Crisis Services at 1-888-796-8226. It’s free and open 24/7.
Or go to the resolve Crisis Services walk-in clinic:
333 North Braddock Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide or self-harm:
Text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or call 800-273-8255.
By UPMC Editorial Team. Reviewed on 2026-07-30.
