Childhood and adolescence are periods of significant growth and sometimes turbulence. This is a period of time when children and adolescents are building their foundation and developing the executive functioning of their brains. The foundation needs to be solid and resilient for everything that comes afterward in life. It's important to ensure children and adolescents have positive mental health for a strong foundation, social skills and proper brain development to help them become successful adults.
What is Mental Health?
Let's delve into the concept of mental health. It's not just about being ”okay” or ”not okay.” Mental health is about our ability to focus on ourselves, function well at school and work, and develop social and academic skills. It’s about having the emotional and physical energy to do these things and be successful.
Most Common Mental Health Issues
In today’s world, children and teens face a variety of mental health issues. These include a wide range of anxiety disorders, such as separation anxiety, intense worrying and phobias, like fear of heights and thunderstorms. The most common serious issues are depression and severe anxiety. Depression is a common problem that affects children and teens in terms of extreme sadness or even mood swings, maladaptive behaviors and poor coping. If left unaddressed, these symptoms can worsen and may even lead to suicidal behavior. It's crucial to support children and teens before their symptoms escalate.
Mental Health Facts
Mental health issues are more common among children than most parents realize.
- 1 in 5 children (20%) experience mental health issues before they turn 18.
- Of the 20%, 80% don’t get treatment.
- Average depressive episode lasts 12-18 months.
Imagine a child being set back for an entire year. Losing a year in their development and life is incredibly significant.
When Do Mental Health Issues Begin?
Children can experience mental health issues at almost any age. Even a three- or four-year-old can suffer from separation anxiety or severe attention problems. However, most mental health issues tend to appear during the early preteen years, around ages 10 to 14.
Early Warning Signs
Parents, caregivers, teachers and other adults can watch for early warning signs of mental health issues, such as changes in:
- Eating and sleeping. When children and teens are off their cycle and are not sleeping or eating like they used to.
- Social circles or social behavior. When kids want to quit a sport or activity they used to love doing or no longer engage with circles of friends they used to enjoy.
These changes are things to notice and question. Young people will try on different personas and figure out what works and what doesn’t. Some changes are normative and healthy, and others indicate trouble is brewing.
What Can You Do
Trust your intuition when you notice changes in your child and don't ignore warning signs. Talk to your pediatrician for trustworthy guidance. Your child's teacher can also provide valuable insight, as they work with kids every day. Additionally, guidance counselors are great resources for community knowledge and may offer insight and assistance.
Be curious and ask questions of your child or teen if something seems off. Be non-judgmental and ask your child open-ended questions and encourage them to share. Help them become problem solvers. Open lines of communication are crucial for well-being. In addition, be sure to prioritize events. These events are like islands, but they link together and connect us. It's in the day-to-day interactions where you build trust in the relationship and practice successful parenting.
In our busy lives, it's crucial to stay connected with your kids. One effective strategy is to have dinner together and take turns asking about everyone's day. Simple check-ins can go a long way in building strong relationships. Show that you care by making eye contact, putting your phone down and actively listening to your children.
Technology makes our lives easier, but we pay the price of losing in-person communication that builds relationships. The rise in social media usage parallels the increase in opioid use. So, use technology where appropriate and emphasize in-person connections.
Steps For a Healthy Mindset
To develop good mental health habits, it's important to prioritize good sleep and nutrition. The brain uses a lot of energy throughout the day, so it's essential to fuel the body with healthy food and avoid junk food. Children benefit from a regular routine of sleep, school and physical activity. It's also important to allow free time for creativity and self-soothing. When children have unstructured time, they learn to entertain themselves, which is beneficial for their inner life and emotional well-being. This helps them learn to self-regulate when they experience distressing emotions.
Preventing Mental Health Problems
The science on mental health prevention is not as extensive as we would like, but prevention begins with understanding that many mental health challenges are genetic or have a genetic component. Knowing your family history will help in understanding and addressing potential health concerns for your child. Anxiety and depression can be hereditary in some families, so it is beneficial to be more aware of warning signs and intervene earlier in such cases.
Cannabis Effects
With the rise of cannabis dispensaries, some teenagers may use cannabis as a form of self-medication. It's crucial to pay attention to this because self-medication can be a warning sign. Some level of drug experimentation may be normal and even emotionally healthy, but for teenagers who are vulnerable due to genetics or environmental factors, it can make their situation worse.
The concentration of THC in marijuana is much higher today than ever before. So, it is challenging for teens to use because it is much more potent. Early use is particularly problematic due to the developing brain. Cannabis is fat-soluble and the brain has a lot of fatty tissue. It is concerning because the developmental effects are unknown. Despite the belief that it is "just weed," approximately 10% of young users become dependent. Additionally, there is a troubling motivational situation that accompanies its use.
Early Treatment Works
It is important to seek treatment for your child or teen before they experience a breakdown or serious mental health episode. When issues are not addressed, they tend to worsen over time. Just like other health concerns, delaying treatment can lead to more severe problems. The sooner you intervene, the more effective the therapy will be. Waiting too long can result in more intensive and severe treatments.
Rely on the experts. Your pediatrician is the most familiar with normal development and developmental issues in childhood and teenage years. When help is needed, a cadre of mental health professionals can help when problems are more severe or require more information.
Endeavor Health provides comprehensive mental health and psychiatric care for individuals of all ages. Contact our network of psychiatric healthcare providers early for effective treatment if your children are facing mental health challenges. Visit us online or call (630) 305-5027.
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