Thursday Thoughts – Know Signs of Mental Health Issues in Children/Teens

 

As supportive parents and caregivers, we want the best for our children. In Monday’s post, we began Week 2 of Mental Health Awareness Month by focusing on open, active listening and talking to help children develop coping skills and feel comfortable with their emotions.  Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in identifying social or behavioral changes in their children. Providing help in the early stages of mental illness or at first signs of mild behavioral symptoms can help prevent development into more serious conditions. 

Here is a short video shared by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that highlights some of the warning signs of mental health concerns that parents can look for in children and youth:

 

Kids might be

*sleeping too much or too little
*not eating or sudden weight changes
*talking about fears or worries
*feeling very sad or easily irritated
*having more frequent tantrums

Kids could be

*withdrawing or having difficulty making friends
*losing interest in things they used to enjoy
*sudden drop in school performance
*showing severe mood changes
*having intense worries/fears affecting daily activities

Kids may be

*engaging in self-harm behaviors or plans to do so
*exhibiting behavior that could cause physical danger
*getting in fights or wanting to hurt others
*using drugs or alcohol
*talking about suicide

When you are concerned about your child's behavior, it is important to seek help from trained professionals. Consult with a school counselor or school nurse or reach out to your child's doctor or other health providers who can help evaluate your child. If you think your child is in danger of harming themselves or others, seek immediate assistance. Here are some resources that may help:

 
Parent and Caregiver Resources

https://www.samhsa.gov/families/parent-caregiver-resources

How to Identify Warning Signs of Mental Health
Struggle in Children & Teens

https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/how-to-talk/parents-and-caregivers

For those struggling or in crisis, Call or Text 988

SAMHSA's National Helpline: 800-662-HELP (4357)