Children and mental health
It's not always easy to recognise if a child or young person in your care has mental health problems, or to know what to do to help.
Generally, children and young people need extra help when the everyday ups and downs begin to get in the way of activities such as school, family life and relationships with friends and family.
Mental health problems can be treated and, if identified early enough, can be prevented from becoming worse.
What causes problems?
Many factors in a child or young person's life influence the development of mental health problems. Below are some examples:
- school or learning difficulties
- problems with friends
- emotional, physical and sexual abuse
- serious illness or physical injuries
- family separation and divorce
- family violence
- homelessness, poverty, unemployment, social isolation
- exposure to adverse life events - trauma, loss or death, personal failure
- whether the child or young person engages in alcohol or drug abuse
- whether or not the child or young person receives support.
Do not assume that a lack of risk factors eliminates the possibility of a serious problem. Some children and young people may develop mental health problems in the absence of any risk factors, just as some will not.
If you notice a change in your child or teenager, gently encourage them talk to you about their feelings and moods.
Further links:
- Child mental health - parenting tips
- Child mental illness - signs
- Child mental health - support
- Child Mental health - compulsory treatment orders
