Children’s Mental Health

Like adults, children and adolescents can have mental health disorders that interfere with the way they think, feel and act.  When untreated, mental health disorders can lead to school failure, family conflicts, drug abuse, violence and even suicide.       According to the U. S. Department of Health & Human Services, mental health problems affect one in every five young people at any given time, and one in ten children will experience a serious emotional disturbance.  Yet an estimated two-thirds of all young people with mental health problems are not getting the help they need.    The National Mental Health Information Center says that one-half of all lifetime cases of diagnosable mental illnesses begin by age 14, and three-fourths by age 24.  This makes early identification and treatment critical; research suggests that greater and more enduring benefits accrue when intervention begins early in the lives of children.
Behaviors may indicate mental health problems can be identified in infants, toddlers and pre-school that children.  Red flags for infants and toddlers include:  displaying very little emotion; rarely cooing, babbling or whimpering; rejecting being held or touched; displaying extreme fearfulness; not turning to familiar adults for comfort or help; having rare eye contact with caregivers and being unable to comfort or console oneself.
Warning signs for pre-school children include:  inability to play with others or objects, extreme mood swings, absence of language or communication, a flat affect, inappropriate responses to situations (laughs instead of cries when hurt), destructiveness and reckless behavior.       Some of the signs for older children and adolescents are:  persistent sad and hopeless feelings, extreme anger and unwarranted angry reactions, crying a lot or overreacting to things, extreme fearfulness and anxiety, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, constant concern about physical problems or physical appearance, feelings of one’s mind being out of control or controlled by outside forces, loss of interest in things once enjoyed, inability to focus, hearing voices that cannot be explained and experiencing suicidal thoughts.      The causes of mental health disorders in children and adolescents are complicated, but believed to be mostly a combination of biology and environment.   Examples of biological causes are genetics, chemical imbalances in the body or damage to the central nervous system, such as a head injury.  Many environmental factors also put young people at risk for developing mental health disorders, including: Exposure to environmental toxins, such as high levels of lead Exposure to violence, such as witnessing or being the victim of physical or sexual abuse or disasters Stress related to chronic poverty, discrimination or other serious hardships, and Loss of important people through death, divorce or broken relationships      There is no one right way to raise a child and many factors are  involved that are beyond the control of parents.  However, the National Mental Health Information Center offers a few suggestions that can help parents provide for their children’s safety and well-being. Do your best to provide a safe home and community for your child, as well as nutritious meals, regular health check-ups and exercise. Be aware of stages in child development so you don't expect too much or too little from your child. Encourage your child to express his or her feelings; respect those feelings. Let your child know that everyone experiences pain, fear, anger, and anxiety. Try to learn the source of these feelings. Help your child express anger positively, without resorting to violence. Promote mutual respect and trust. Keep your voice level down even when you don't agree. Keep communication channels open. Listen to your child. Use words and examples your child can understand. Encourage questions. Express your willingness to talk about any subject. Provide comfort and assurance. Be honest. Focus on the positives. Avoid passing on negative thinking patterns and/or a negative world view. Look at your own problem-solving and coping skills. Are you setting a good example? Seek help if you are overwhelmed by your child's feelings or behaviors or if you are unable to control your own frustration or anger. Encourage your child's talents and accept limitations. Set goals based on the child's abilities and interests, not someone else's expectations. Celebrate accomplishments. Don't compare your child's abilities to those of other children; appreciate the uniqueness of your child. Spend time regularly with your child. Foster your child's independence and self-worth. Help your child deal with life's ups and downs. Show confidence in your child's ability to handle problems and tackle new experiences. Discipline constructively, fairly, and consistently. (Discipline is a form of teaching, not physical punishment.) All children and families are different; learn what is effective for your child. Show approval for positive behaviors. Help your child learn from his or her mistakes. Love unconditionally. Teach the value of apologies, cooperation, patience, forgiveness, and consideration for others. Do not expect to be perfect; parenting is a difficult job.      We know that children need nutritious food, shelter and exercise, but the basics for good mental health are not always as clear.  The fundamental rule is to know children’s mental health matters and is an important part of their overall health and well-being.  It should be given thought, attention, and when needed, professional help.