- What kinds of developmental disorders or mental health challenges can affect young children?
- What are the signs of mental health challenges in children?
- How can I support my child’s mental health?
- What should I do if I’m concerned about my child’s mental health?
Mental Health Challenges in Younger Children
Mental health is the general wellness of how we feel, think, and behave. There are many factors, both physical and environmental, that can affect mental health. The term mental health disorders refers to changes or disruptions in the way a child feels, thinks, or behaves that make it difficult for them to function at home, in school, or other social situations. The Mayo Clinic website lists the following common mental health challenges frequently affecting children —as well as developmental disorders that are usually diagnosed and/or treated by mental health professionals.
| Anxiety disorders | Excessive worry about everyday matters; persistent stress and/or fears that affect their ability to participate in school or enjoy everyday activities. Related diagnoses include social anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). |
| Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD / ADHD) | Difficulty with focus or attention, impulsive behaviors, hyperactivity, or a combination of these problems |
| Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) | A neurological condition that usually appears in early childhood. The severity ranges, but a child with ASD often has difficulty making social connections and communicating and interacting with others. |
| Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). | Prolonged stress, anxiety, disturbing memories, nightmares, and disruptive behaviors in response to violence, abuse, injury, or other traumatic events. |
| Depression and mood disorders | Persistent feelings of sadness, loneliness, hopelessness, and/or emptiness |
Why It’s Important
Mental health disorders can develop at any age and can be especially hard to identify in children because their behavior patterns naturally change as they develop over time, and because the symptoms often look different from those of adults. As a result, children may not get the right treatment when they need it.
Knowing the factors that impact mental health and the warning signs and symptoms to watch for can help you recognize challenges early and take action to support your child’s well-being.
Check-In:
Take this brief survey to learn the common warning signs of mental health / developmental disorders and how you can help your child.
The following lists some of the common warning signs of mental health or developmental issues in children. Warning signs will vary, depending on the child and the condition. Check any symptoms your child has experienced for two weeks or longer.
If you checked more than five behaviors, and they have been ongoing for longer than 2 weeks, your child may benefit from an initial evaluation by a doctor or mental health professional. Contact your child’s school counselor and/or your family’s healthcare provider to discuss your concerns. |
Connect & Communicate:
Spending time with your child, encouraging them to recognize and share how they are feeling, and being a calming, loving, caring connection will help them feel safe and reassured. This goes a long way to support their mental well-being.
Start the Conversation
Here are some ways you can begin talking to your child:
- “I’m noticing that you are feeling sad/mad/frustrated. Would you like to talk about why you’re feeling that way? ”
- “What do you think would help you feel calm right now? Do you need space? / Would you like to draw? Can you take some slow breaths with me?”
Your child may not know or be able to articulate what is causing them distress. Help them become aware of their feelings and any triggers. Let them know that it’s okay to feel and express their emotions and that you are there to listen and help.
- Reassure your child and remind them of the many people in their life who love and care for them.
- Normalize talking about emotions and emotional ups and downs.
- Find ways to relax, have fun, and strengthen your bond with them. Praise your child’s strengths and abilities.
- Help your child focus on their physical health, too. Make sure they get enough sleep and exercise and are eating a balanced diet.
- Explore stress management techniques to support your child’s and your mental health and help you respond calmly.
Activities
Watch the Disney Movie, Inside Out, with your child. Talk about the emotions they relate to.
Read children’s books together about overcoming anxiety and other mental health challenges.
Contact & Collaborate:
Mental health challenges in children are common and treatable, either through therapy with a licensed counselor, medication, or a combination of both. Often, however, parents and caregivers don’t seek help for months or years. They may feel that “It’s just a phase.” or “My child will grow out of it.”
If your child seems unusually stressed, or if there’s been a major shift in their behavior that lasts over 2 weeks, it’s important to get support and take action as soon as possible.
If you suspect that your child has a mental health / developmental disorder,
- Consult your primary care physician or health care provider and describe your concerns
- Ask your child’s teacher, close friends, relatives, or other caregivers if they’ve noticed changes in your child’s behavior. Share this information with your healthcare provider.
- Set up a meeting with the counselor and/or behavior specialist at your child’s school. Partner with them to support your child’s needs. Depending on the circumstances, they may recommend additional referrals for specialized support.
- Contact other trusted adults in your child’s life (relatives, clergy, teacher, sports coach) so they can help support him or her, too.
- Consider family counseling with a licensed therapist.
- Reach out to your health insurance or state/county mental health authority for more support
Continue Learning:
You will play an important role in ongoing support and monitoring of your child’s mental health.
- Enroll in parent support groups or training programs.
- If treatment has been recommended for your child (e.g., therapy or medication) support them with managing and maintaining their treatment plan
- Continue to learn and stay up-to-date on mental health topics with these resources:
-Mental Health.gov Parent and Caregivers page https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/parents-caregivers
-National Institute of Health Children and Mental Health page https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/children-and-mental-health/index.shtml
-National Alliance for Mental Illness Learning to Help Your Child and Your Family https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Family-Members-and-Caregivers/Learning-to-Help-Your-Child-and-Your-Family - Mindful Things (podcast): Let’s Talk about Child and Teen Mental Health: https://www.mcleanhospital.org/podcast-lets-talk-about-child-and-teen-mental-health
- This is Normal (podcast): A Podcast about Youth Mental Health: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-normal-a-podcast-about-youth-mental-health/id1352187786
- Parenting Children with Mental Illness (a list of books and resources): https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/86618.Parenting_Children_with_a_Mental_Illness
