Mental Health Wellness Guide For Your Child

 / 

Did you know that mental health disorders are common in young children? According to a recent study, about one in six children has a treatable mental health condition. Predominate childhood mental disorders include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety and depression. These psychological disorders can have a lifelong impact on a child and his or her family. As a parent, you play a vital role in your child’s mental health. Here’s how to recognize the warning signs of mental illness in your child and how you could help him or her cope.

Mental illness in children might be difficult for parents to identify, but early detection may improve your child’s ability to succeed in life and school. Children can develop the same mental disorders as adults but may express them differently. Warning signs of mental health disorders in children include aggressive behavior, insomnia, sadness, extreme weight loss or gain, thoughts of suicide, trouble concentrating, and a sudden decline in grades.

If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, it’s important to seek the appropriate care. Consult with your child’s primary care physician about any changes you’ve noticed in his or her behavior. The doctor may recommend further evaluation by a specialist with experience in behavioral problems. You also could speak to your youngster’s teachers and counselors to find out how your child is performing in school.

Read The Healing Power of Music: How Music Therapy Improves Mental Health

Encourage open communication by letting your kid talk to you about his or her thoughts, feelings, problems or challenging situations. You might not understand some of the issues with which he or she may be dealing, but it’s important to accept that these difficulties are real to your child.

For more ways to help your child cope with mental illness, see the accompanying guide.

1. HOW PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS CAN HELP

Seek professional help sooner rather than later:

Listen to your child Spend as much time with your child as possible Let children talk through their problems Explain the dangers and risks of drug use Seek help from a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist Take care of your own health and stress Talk to teachers and counselors: Know how your child is doing in school Mental Health Wellness Guide for Your Child Mental disorders are shockingly common among children of all ages. As a parent or caregiver, it’s important for you to know the scope of the problem, what to look for, and what to do.

2. AN ALARMING NUMBER OF ADOLESCENT AND JUVENILE DIAGNOSES

Here are the numbers, as reported by the CDC:

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/data.html

  • ADHD: 6.1 million children
  • BEHAVIORAL: 4.5 million children
  • ANXIETY: 4.4 million children
  • DEPRESSION: 1.9 million children

3. SYMPTOMS TO WATCH FOR

These warning signs may indicate a mental health disorder:

1. Aggressive behavior

2. Continual threats to run away from home

3. Dangerous Behavior

4. Destructive behavior

5. Difficulty concentrating

6. The dramatic and sudden drop in grades

7. Drug use

8. Excessive worry about weight

9. Extreme disobedience

10. Extreme weight loss or gain

11. Frequent nightmares

12. Frequent temper tantrums

13. Headaches

14. Hypersomnia

15. Insomnia

16. Loss of appetite

17. Hyperactivity abnormal for his/her age

18. Expressions of desire to harm oneself or others

19. Loss of interest in friends or activities

20. Prolonged difficulty separating from a parent

21. Sadness

22. Seeing or hearing things that are not there

23. Sudden change in behavior

24. Thoughts of suicide

25. Withdrawn behavior

1 in 5 young people suffer from a mental illness — that’s 20 percent of our population but only about 4 percent of the total health care budget is spent on our mental health.

Source: http://teenmentalhealth.org/learn/mental-disorders/

Read Quick Ways to De-Stress and Improve Mental Health

mental health wellness guide

Written by Bijan Farhangui

Mental Health Wellness Guide For Your Child pin

— Share —

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

Unsocial Media: The Real Effects Of Screen Time

Unsocial Media The Real Effects Of More Screen Time

Is social media making us less social in real life? Discover the true effects of screen time on face-to-face connections and overall well-being.

Loss of real-life interaction hampers social development.

Key points

A significant amount of real-life social interaction seems essential for the development of emotional and personal skills.

Research suggests that today’s youth has about half the exposure to critical real-life social interaction that pre-internet generations did.

Trends in poor social development among young people suggest the need for urgent attention and specific strategies to enhanc

Up Next

When Grandparents’ Love Goes Sour: 8 Signs Of Toxic Grandparents And How To Survive Them

Signs Of Toxic Grandparents

Have you ever noticed certain behaviors that make you wonder if your grandparents’ love might be a little… off? Spotting the signs of toxic grandparents can be tough, especially when society paints them as the ultimate source of unconditional love and support.

But sometimes, grandparents might cross boundaries, show favoritism, or create a stressful environment that doesn’t quite feel right. If you’ve ever felt uneasy about their behavior, you’re not alone.

In this article, we’ll dive into the subtle and not-so-subtle signs of toxic grandparents and give you some strategies regarding how to deal with toxic grandparents, without causing family drama.

First, let us try to understand what are toxic grandparents.

Up Next

How a Person with Bipolar Disorder Thinks: 10 Things That Cross Their Mind

How a Person with Bipolar Disorder Thinks

Ever wondered how a person with bipolar disorder thinks? Living with bipolar disorder is often a constant ride of highs and lows, not just in mood but also in thoughts.

One moment, someone might feel invincible, brimming with ideas and energy; the next, they may feel crushed by sadness or anxiety, weighed down by self-doubt and exhaustion.

Understanding how a person with bipolar disorder thinks can help you understand better what they might be going through. Today, we’ll dive into what is bipolar disorder, followed by 10 thoughts that often cross the minds of those who live with it.

Let’s start with what is bipolar disorder.

Related:

Up Next

9 Unusual Signs of Low Intelligence That Will Surprise You

Indicators of Low Intelligence That Will Surprise You

When we talk about intelligence, most of us picture sharp-witted people solving puzzles or doing complex math. But the signs of low intelligence can be just as telling, and they show up in ways you might not expect.

A low IQ person often exhibit certain behaviors or attitudes that make them stand out. Whether it’s their inability to adapt or their rigid thinking, these subtle low IQ symptoms say a lot.

Today, we are going to do a deep dive into the 9 unusual signs of low intelligence that might surprise you—because intelligence isn’t just about getting straight A’s.

Related:

Up Next

How Sleep affects Your Mental Health

The quality and amount of sleep play a huge role in the mental health and mood of an individual.

Even just one night of inadequate sleep can heighten one’s stress level. Constant lack of sleep and chronic sleep deprivation can alter a person’s disposition and may even lead to mental health issues like anxiety and depression. In fact, a lot of research is now establishing links between insomnia and depression and how the two can interchangeably affect each other.

Sleep and mental health are broad and complex topics that still need further research to be able to fully grasp and comprehend well about them. All the same, the more we dig deeper w

Up Next

A Letter For Those Who Don’t Understand Chronic Illness

A Letter for those who don’t understand chronic illness.

Dear people who don’t understand autoimmune disease or Chronic Illness:

I know people that have an autoimmune disease and chronic illness. They seem fine on the outside, but that’s what they want you to see because they have a fear of being judged and misunderstood.

However, in reality, people that deal with these issues may be people who are dealing with diet restrictions. Perhaps they have to go to many doctors to deal with managing pain. They may not be able to do the things that we take for granted.

I personally believe if you have an autoimmune disease, or any other chronic ill

Up Next

Unlocking The Pain Of The Past: 10 Signs Of Repressed Childhood Trauma In Adults

Ever find yourself reacting strongly to situations and not quite sure why? Either you hear echoes of your past, or it’s probably because you listen to your inner child. In this article, we’re delving into the signs of repressed childhood trauma in adults – those subtle whispers from your younger self that can shape your present.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});