YOUR CHILD’S MENTAL HEALTH
What Every Family Should Know
KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS
A variety of signs may point
to a possible mental health problem in a child or teenager. Some of them are
listed below.
SEEK HELP IMMEDIATELY
If your child has
experienced any of the WARNING SIGNS below, or if the symptoms are
severe, seek help immediately. Talk to your doctor, a school counselor, or
other mental health professional who is trained to assess whether or not your
child has a mental health problem.
Pay attention if a child you
know:
Is troubled by feeling:
*really sad and hopeless
without good reason, and the feelings don’t go away;
*very angry most of the
time, cries a lot, or overreacts to things;
*worthless or guilty a lot;
*anxious or worried a lot
more than other young people;
*extremely fearful--has
unexplained fears or more fears than most children;
*constantly concerned about
physical problems or appearance;
*frightened that his or her
mind is controlled or is out of control.
Experiences big changes, for example:
*does much worse in school;
*loses interest in things
usually enjoyed;
*has unexplained changes in
sleeping or eating habits;
*avoids friends or family
and wants to be alone all the time;
*daydreams too much and
can’t get things done;
*feels life is too hard to
handle or talks about suicide;
*hears voices that cannot be
explained.
Is limited by:
*poor concentration; can’t
make decisions;
*inability to sit still or
focus attention;
*worry about being harmed,
hurting others, or about doing something “bad”;
*the need to wash, clean
things, or perform certain routines dozens of times a day;
*thoughts that race almost
too fast to follow;
*persistent
nightmares.
Behaves in ways that cause problems, for example:
*uses alcohol or other
drugs;
*eats large amounts of food
and then forces vomiting, abuses laxatives, or takes enemas to avoid weight
gain;
*continues to diet or
exercise obsessively although bone-thin;
*often hurts other people,
destroys property, or breaks the law;
*does things that can be
life threatening.
WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH?
Mental health is how we
think, feel, and act in order to face life’s situations. It is how we look at
ourselves, our lives, and the people we know and care about. It also helps
determine how we handle stress, relate to others, evaluate our options, and
make choices. Like physical health, mental health is important at every stage
of life. Everyone has mental health.
MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS
It’s easy for parents to
recognize when a child has high fever. A child’s mental health problem may be
more difficult to identify. Mental health problems
can’t always be seen. But the symptoms can be recognized
Mental health problems can
be diagnosed because mental health professionals have studied and documented
the symptoms Some of these problems are depression,
anxiety, conduct, eating, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders.
Mental health problems
affect one in every five young people at any given time.
Tragically, an estimated
two-thirds of all young people with mental health problems are not getting the
help they need.
Many children and
adolescents have periods of emotional stress that would benefit from short-term
treatment, but those problems would not necessarily result in what is called a
“diagnosable” mental health problem. Examples of these mental health problems
may include grieving the recent loss of a loved one or improving family
relationships.
A child’s mental health has no relationship to his or
her intellectual capacity. Children with and without the above mental health
problems have IQ’s that range from low (mental retardation)to
high.
Special education is one of the support services schools provide to help meet the unique needs of children and adolescents who have many types of mental health problems as well as the needs of children who have physical health problems. Not everyone in special
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education has a mental health
problem, and not every child or adolescent with a mental health problem is
receiving special education.
SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES
The phrase, serious
emotional disturbances for children and adolescents, refers to mental health
problems that are severely disrupting daily life and functioning at home, at
school, or in the community. Serious emotional disturbances affect 1 in every
20 young people at any given time.
Without help, such mental
health problems can lead to school failure, alcohol or other drug abuse, family
discord, violence, or even suicide.
THE CAUSES
We don’t know all the causes
of mental health problems in young people. We do know that both environment and
biology can be involved. Examples of biological causes are genetics, chemical
imbalances, and damage to the central nervous system. The medical profession
refers to these as neurobiological brain disorders.
Many environmental factors
can put children at risk. For example, children who are exposed to violence,
abuse, neglect, lead poisoning, or loss of loved ones through death, divorce,
or broken relationships are more at risk for mental health problems. Other risk
factors include rejection because of race, sexual orientation, religion, or
poverty.
DON’T GIVE UP
It’s important that you keep
looking until you find the right services for your child. Some children and
families need counseling or family supports. Others may need medical care,
residential care, day treatment, education services, legal assistance, rights
protection, transportation, or case management.
Some families don’t seek
help because they are afraid of what other people may say or think. Other
barriers also may get in the way, such as the cost of care, limited insurance
benefits, or no health insurance. While these may be problems for your family,
treatment is necessary. Some mental health providers and community mental
health centers charge fees on a sliding-scale based on a family’s ability to
pay.
Seeking help may require a
lot of patience and persistence on your part. Be assured that there are several
national organizations and advocacy groups that can help you find services in
your community.
NURTURING YOUR CHILD’S MENTAL HEALTH
As parents you are
responsible for your children’s physical safety and emotional well-being. There
is no one right way to raise a child. Parenting styles vary, but all caregivers
should agree on expectations for your child. The following suggestions are not
meant to be complete. Many good books are available in libraries or at
bookstores on developmental stages, constructive problem-solving, discipline
styles, and other parenting skills.
Do your best to provide a
safe home and community for your child, as well as nutritious meals, regular
health check-ups, immunizations, and exercise. Be aware of stages in child
development so you don’t expect too much or too little from your child.
Encourage your child to express
his or her feelings; respect those feelings. Let your child know that everyone
experiences pain, fear, anger, and anxiety. Try to learn the source of these
feelings. Help your child express anger positively, without resorting to
violence.
Promote mutual respect and
trust. Keep your voice level down--even when you don’t agree. Keep
communication channels open.
Listen to your child. Use
words and examples your child can understand. Encourage questions. Provide
comfort and assurance. Be honest. Focus on the positives. Express your
willingness to talk about any subject.
Look at your own
problem-solving and coping skills. Are you setting a good example? Seek help if
you are overwhelmed by your child’s feelings or behaviors or if you are unable
to control your own frustration or anger.
Encourage your child’s
talents and accept limitations. Set goals based on the child’s abilities and
interests--not someone else’s expectations. Celebrate accomplishments. Don’t
compare your child’s abilities to those of other children; appreciate the
uniqueness of your child. Spend time regularly with your child.
Foster your child’s
independence and self-worth. Help your child deal with life’s ups and downs.
Show confidence in your child’s ability to handle problems and tackle new
experiences.
Discipline constructively,
fairly and consistently. (Discipline is a form of teaching, not physical
punishment.) All children and families are different; learn what is effective
for your child. Show approval for positive behaviors. Help your child learn
from his or her mistakes.
Love unconditionally. Teach the value of apologies, cooperation, patience, forgiveness, and consideration for others. Do not expect to be perfect; parenting is a difficult job.
For more information about
Mental Illnesses - Contact:
The
NAMI of Greater
Phone: 312-563-0445