Signs Your Child May Be Struggling With Mental Health

Mental illness in children can be difficult for parents to identify. Unfortunately, this means that many children who could benefit from treatment don't receive the help they need. It's important to understand how to recognise warning signs of mental illness in children so that you can take appropriate action to help your child. This article will provide you with information on the signs of mental health issues in young children and teenagers, as well as ways to support your child.

Signs of Mental Health Issues in Young Children

It's hard for young kids to express themselves, but as a caregiver, you can spot potential mental health issues by looking for changes in their behaviour or development. Here are some signs:

• Your child is frequently fussy and irritable

• They startle easily, cry frequently

• Your child has trouble falling asleep; he/she wakes up frequently during the night and/or has intense nightmares

• Has feeding issues and nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea, or constipation

• Your potty-trained child wets the bed

• Your child is clingy

• Intimidated by new people

• Scared to leave home

• Displays disobedience, frustration, or aggression by hitting, kicking, biting, or throwing frequent tantrums

• Your child’s developmental milestones are delayed, such that he/she can’t perform tasks the kid previously could.

Signs of Mental Health Issues in Teenagers

Here are some signs of mental health conditions in teenagers:

• Being irritable or angry frequently

• Feeling sad, worried, scared, or hopeless

• Experiencing extreme mood swings — alternating between euphoria and sadness

• Withdrawn and moody people tend to isolate themselves by not communicating or seeing their friends

• Lack of interest in once-enjoyed activities like music classes or instrument practice

• Difficulty in coping with regular activities

• Being unable to express their emotions

• Neglecting personal hygiene

• Fighting with friends, family members, teachers, or school authorities

• Sleeping all the time or having insomnia

• Always tired or low on energy

• Over-eating or having no appetite

• Having unexplained pains such as headaches, stomach aches, or other complaints

• Having difficulty with learning, thinking, remembering, or concentrating

• Performing poorly at school and having no interest in schoolwork

• Using alcohol, marijuana, or drugs

• Engaging in risky, unsafe behaviours or causing trouble in their home, school, or community

• Talking about death or suicide

How to Help Your Child

Here are some tips to help your child.

• Talk to your child

• Listen to them

• Don’t judge their behaviour

• Don’t shame them

• Take them to a doctor