Children’s mental health is the overall wellness of children’s thinking, mood, and feeling. It affects children’s ability to relate to others and complete daily tasks. Some common children’s mental health problems include depression, anxiety, and behavior disorders. Mental health problems are often harder to spot than physical health problems. Paying close attention to your child’s behavior can make you aware of potential mental health problems. Mental health is important to children’s overall health. It affects their ability to succeed in school, work, and relationships.
What causes mental health problems?
Mental health problems affect people of all ages, races, incomes, religions, and cultures. There are many different factors that can cause mental health problems. These factors include family history, contact with harmful things before birth, negative life experiences, and brain chemistry. The National Research Council and Institute of Medicine have found that half of adults with mental illnesses experience symptoms of the illness before age 14.
What should I do if I think my child might have mental health problems?
If you are concerned about your child’s mental health, talk to your child’s doctor. Describe the behavior that concerns you. Concerning behaviors could include a drop in grades or making threats to self or others. It could include changes in sleeping or eating habits, acting withdrawn or other behaviors that concern you. Ask your child’s teachers, caregivers, and loved ones if they have noticed any changes in your child’s behavior. Share this information with your child’s doctor. You can also ask for an evaluation with a specialist. A specialist could be a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, or behavioral therapist. Learn as much as you can about the problem or diagnosis. Look for the best treatment for your child.
Can mental health problems be treated?
Yes. Once a diagnosis is made, your child’s doctor or specialist can recommend a plan. There are many treatments for mental health problems. Treatments can include talk or behavioral therapy and medications. Make sure to understand the different treatment options. Discuss the options with a health care provider that has experience treating the mental health problems that are affecting your child. When possible, involve your child in the treatment decisions.
How will having a child with a mental health problem affect my family?
Before a child is diagnosed, stress, frustration, and anger may have come up in a family. Mental health providers can provide counseling to the whole family. Counselors can help everyone understand mental health. They can also help family members create new ways of relating with one another. Your child may face challenges in school. Special education services may be available to your child. Remember that you will be your child’s most important advocate. Learn about your child’s legal and educational rights so that your child can get the support she or he needs.
‣ VKC Resources
- StudyFinder
- Tennessee Disability Pathfinder
- TRIAD
- Vanderbilt Autism Resource Line
- Vanderbilt Behavioral Health
‣ Local and National Resources
- Centerstone
- Family Voices of Tennessee
- Mental Health Cooperative
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
- STEP (Support and Training for Exceptional Parents)
- Tennessee Voices for Children
Content for this Tips and Resources fact sheet provided by Caitlin Nossett.
[October 2013]