One of the most difficult tasks for a parent whose child has been exposed to a traumatic event, natural disaster or a death is deciding whether or not additional help from a mental health professional is needed. Parents are generally well versed in the routine doctor visits for physical ailments such as the flu or ear infections, but are sometimes confused about obtaining mental health care.
Parents may feel embarrassed or ashamed; think they should handle the problem on their own; feel the situation is hopeless; disagree when others suggest the need for outside help; or dismiss or misunderstand a child’s problem. But just like physical problems, prognosis is better when the mental health problem is identified and treated early.

Although many children show signs of stress in the first few weeks after a trauma, most will return to their usual state of physical and emotional health. However, it is not unusual for the reactions of any individual child to change many times in the days and weeks following a crisis.While some of these reactions are short-lived and resolve on their own, others may linger for months or years after the event has occurred. In addition, some difficulties may not even appear until months or even years after the event. For those children experiencing more difficulty returning to normal, professional help may be necessary.
When to Seek Professional Help

Many physical and emotional signs suggest a possible mental health problem. Problems can range from those of serious concern (for example, when a child or adolescent has lost touch with reality or is in danger of harming him or herself) to those of less concern (for example, when a child or teen experiences a change in eating or sleeping, is irritable or angry or is particularly fearful of something). Further investigation should be considered when a child seems out of step with peers or exhibits changes or problems in any of the following areas:
Eating/appetite
Sleeping
School work
Activity level
Mood
Relationship with family or friends
Aggressive behavior
Return to behavior typical of a younger child
Developmental milestones such as speech and language

In general, when bringing a child to a mental health professional, symptoms will first be evaluated with respect to their:
Intensity
Duration
Age-appropriateness
Level of interference with daily life: in school, at home, with peers