There is a growing number of mental health cases among youth in recent years, with the toll of the pandemic adding an additional 25% in cases of anxiety and depression among children (according to reports by the World Health Organization). Children deal with an unreasonable amount of stress as they balance school with sports and extracurricular activities while navigating peer pressure and personal self-development. For children who struggle with learning disabilities, have poor home environments, or encounter bullying—the strain on their mental health becomes increasingly overwhelming.
In recognition of National Children’s Mental Health Day on May 9th, we’re highlighting the importance of checking in on your child’s mental health, what behaviors may indicate the need for intervention, and how to help when they are struggling.
Staying aware of your child’s mental health
Children are not small adults. For humans, brain maturity continues well past the teen years and into adulthood. Major life changes that may seem trivial to an adult are significant for a child. A decline in your child’s mental health can arise at any time, but there are certain situations that put a child more at risk of experiencing a decline in mental health. These situations usually involve major changes in routine or lifestyle, such as:
- Parents are separating or starting a relationship with a new partner
- Anytime there are split households in the cases of separation
- Blending families when one or both parents has a new partner
- Moving from one place to another (a new school district or a new city/country)
- When a child is changing schools (including transitioning from elementary school to middle school, and middle school to high school)
- After a child experiences a traumatic event (such as a car accident, house fire, abuse, neglect, bullying, etc…)
- When the child loses a friend or loved one
- A child identifies as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community
- A child, or their parent or loved one, is diagnosed with a chronic, progressive, or terminal illness
- During and after a serious injury or illness
- During puberty
An often overlooked consequence of the pandemic is the negative impact it has taken on children of all ages. The pandemic severed social connections and disrupted routines for months—with many immunocompromised children still not yet returning to the normalcy they knew before. For some, the normalcy of pre-pandemic life will never return as they grieve the loss of a parent or loved one from the virus. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, mental health emergency room visits for children rose by 24% for children under 12, and a staggering 31% for children 12-17 years of age. Emergency rooms across the country also recorded a 50% increase in suicide attempts in children aged 12-17 (particularly female adolescents) in the early months of 2021, compared to the same time frame in 2019.
Here’s what you can do to create an environment that promotes positivity and a safe space for personal development, self-expression, and good mental health.
- Be present - Dedicate time every day to ask specific questions about your child’s day. Speak with their teachers and coaches regularly, and make time each week or each month to spend quality, screen-free family time with them.
- Nurture self-esteem - Most kids struggle with at least some level of low self-esteem. Insecurities can often lead to more serious mental health problems. Frequent conversations and positive affirmations can make a huge difference in how a child feels about themselves. You can find more on raising self-esteem in this earlier blog post.
- Prioritize healthy sleeping habits - Sleep is incredibly important for managing stress and is even more important for children and teens with rapidly developing bodies and brains. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 10-13 hours of sleep for preschoolers, 9-12 hours for elementary-aged children, and 8-10 hours for teens.
- Listen - Listen when your child opens up to you, and when they don’t. Be on the alert for non-verbal cues that something may be wrong, for example: Changes in behavior Spending more time alone Sudden changes in sleeping patterns (more or less sleep) Seeming withdrawn or closed offChanges in overall moodOutbursts of emotion (crying, anger, frustration, etc..) Loss of interest in activities they once liked Irritation or anger Changes in school performance Concerns from teachers, coaches, friends, or mentors How to check-in.
- Ask specific questions - Avoid the standard “how was your day” and ask more specific questions like “who did you sit next to at lunch?”, and “who did you play with at recess?”. And for older kids, “who did you sit with on the bus?”, or “what did you do at sports practice?”. Be sure to ask follow-up questions and prod for more details if your child seems to be avoiding the question or giving too short of an answer. For teens, don’t forget to ask specific questions about how their relationship with specific friends or significant others is going. You can do this in a way that doesn’t violate privacy, for example, “have you talked to [friend’s name] lately?”, or “When is your next movie date with [significant other]?”.
- Use alternatives - Some kids are less talkative than others. Some kids open up better when they're able to communicate via writing. If this seems to be how your child prefers to communicate with topics they find difficult to talk freely about, suggest using a shared journal where you both can write notes and letters to one another. There are also mood-tracking apps that can help both you and your child identify changes. Some of these mood-tracking apps also have guided meditation, calming music, positive affirmations, parental alerts, and more. Check out the educational app store for a list that includes apps for all ages.
- Keep an open-door policy - Having frequent and honest conversations will help your child(ren) feel more comfortable coming to you when they are experiencing a problem. Address any concerns you may have by asking more specific questions.
When to get help
If you think your child is experiencing a decline in mental health, but you’re not sure—there is a useful symptom checker through Child Mind Institute that can help you. If your child tells you they’re feeling depressed or anxious, or if they are experiencing any of the non-verbal cues listed above, it is time to seek professional help for them. If you or someone you know is in the Nevada or California areas and has a child who is struggling with their mental health, reach out to Medens Health via our contact page or call (833) 624-5400 to begin speaking with a licensed therapist who can help.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical or mental health. If you don’t currently have a therapist, we can connect you with one who is qualified to give you safe, professional, and ethical advice regarding your mental health.
If you or someone you are responsible for is experiencing a medical emergency, is considering harming themselves or others, or is otherwise in imminent danger, you should call 9-1-1 and/or take them to the nearest emergency room.
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