Like adults, children and adolescents can have mental health problems that interfere with with the way they think, feel, and act. Like physical health, mental health is important at every stage of life. Current research clearly supports the idea that the years from birth to 5 are critical formative years for healthy brain development. Children especially need safe and stable relationships with peers and adults, loving caretakers and healthy nutrition during this early development.

The developmental stages of life through the age 18 years provide many opportunities for parents and caregivers to assist the child in developing mental health. In addition to biology and genetics, there are events in the life of children that can have adverse effects on physical and mental health. These include growing up in a household with recurrent physical abuse, recurrent emotional abuse, sexual abuse, an alcohol or drug abuser, an incarcerated household member, someone who is chronically depressed, suicidal, institutionalized or mentally ill, a mother being treated violently, one or no parents, emotional or physical neglect.

Children and adolescents with mental health issues need to get help as soon as possible. A variety of signs may point to mental health disorders or serious emotional disturbances. If we pay close attention we will see and hear the verbal and non-verbal ways our children show they need our help.

Children need our support and assistance when they are troubled by feeling sad and hopeless for no reason; very angry most of the time; crying a lot or overacting to things; often worthless or guilty; often anxious or worried; unable to get over a loss or death of someone important; extremely fearful or having unexplained fears; constantly concerned about physical problems or physical appearance; frightened that his or her mind might be controlled or is out of control.

Or you may notice extreme changes in routines such as showing declining performance in school; loss of interest in things they used to enjoy; experiencing unexplained changes in sleep or diet; avoiding friends or family; wanting to be alone all of the time; daydreaming too much or not completing tasks; feeling life is too hard to handle; hearing voices that cannot be explained, or experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Listen, and take a child seriously when they experience poor concentration and are unable to think straight or make up their mind; unable to sit still or focus attention; worry about being harmed, hurting others or doing something “bad”; a need to wash, clean things or perform certain routines over and over again in order to avoid a danger than can’t be substantiated; racing thoughts that are too fast to follow; persistent nightmares.

Some children behave outwardly in ways that cry out for someone to stop the pain. Please do not minimize behaviors such as using alcohol or other drugs; eating large amounts of food and then purging, or abusing laxatives, to avoid weight gain; dieting and/or exercising obsessively; violating the rights of others or constantly breaking the law without regard for other people; setting fires; doing things that can be life threatening to self or others and harming or killing animals.

Join with us to help create a supportive community of informed assistance, acceptance and encouragement towards one another. Help eliminate the negative attitudes that surround mental illness.

Joelle Vessels, LMFT, Director, Mental Health Services

If you or someone you know needs mental health services, please dial 2-1-1.