Anxiousness, sadness, and other mood and behavioral concerns seem to be on the rise in our community and across the country. We at Cary Pediatrics agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics that screening for these issues is important at least once a year as part of a child’s annual physical. Research shows that addressing issues early leads to quicker improvement in how a child feels, and reduces risk for larger concerns in the future. We employ a variety of tools such as the Edinburgh PostPartum Depression Screen, PSC-17, PHQ 2 and 9, and RAAPS questionnaires to assess for symptoms. If these screens are concerning, or if a family has a concern at any time beyond the screening tests, we know a number of local resources, including counselors, therapists, and psychologists, to help you and your family take positive steps forward.