There is a strong and growing prevalence of childhood mental health disorders, not only around the globe but in our communities here at home, placing many of our nation’s young people at risk for poor outcomes in school, at home and in life.
As with adults, mental health is an essential part of a child’s overall health and wellbeing. It can have a positive or negative effect on their development and relationships, how they learn and interact with family members, other people and more.
Oftentimes, a mental illness or a behavioral health condition may not present until a child reaches a certain age, such as adolescence or during their teenage years, which means some younger children may be unknowingly at risk for developing a disorder later on — such as depression, anxiety disorders or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) — or they may be currently living with an illness. These children may not receive the treatment they need because the warning signs have not been recognized or addressed.
Although there is no, easy test to diagnose a mental illness or behavioral health condition, there are certain factors — such as genetics, issues among peers, trouble at home, at school or in the community — that can affect a child’s mental health and can place them at risk for developing a disorder.
But if parents and adults are better able to recognize the warning signs of childhood mental and behavioral health issues earlier, they can help children displaying troubling signs get the treatment they need.
Below are some of the common warning signs from the National Institutes of Health:
- Avoids friends and social activities
- Changes in eating habits, such as increased hunger or lack of appetite
- Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and having low energy
- Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
- Engages in destructive behavior
- Excessive worrying or fear
- Extreme mood changes
- Fears gaining weight or exercises and diets obsessively
- Feels excessively sad or low
- Is in constant motion; can’t sit quietly for any length of time
- Harms herself/himself or others
- Has frequent stomachaches, headaches or pains with no physical explanation
- Has thoughts of suicide
- Has trouble doing well in school or grades decline
- Has frequent tantrums or is intensely irritable much of the time
- Often feels anxious or worried
- Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger
Mental and behavioral health illnesses are unlike any other diseases, and they can affect any person regardless of age, gender or ethnicity. Some parents may find childhood mental health a frightening topic to discuss with their children, but it’s an important discussion to have.
It’s also important to note that mental illnesses and behavioral health conditions can be treated, and the earlier problems are identified, the sooner treatment can begin and the better the health outcomes will be.
Where to Go for Help
A list of suicide and crisis hotlines and web resources is available online at www.tanner.org/hotlinesandresources. Share these resources with other parents, grandparents, teens, teachers, counselors, pastors, coaches and anyone else who regularly interacts with children and teens.
To schedule a free and confidential mental health screening, call Willowbrooke at Tanner’s 24-hour help line at 770-812-9551.
For more information, visit WillowbrookeAtTanner.org.