Prioritizing Children’s Mental Well-being: Understanding its Vital Importance

As a parent, there is nothing more important than the health and happiness of your child and ensuring all of their needs are met. However, it’s not uncommon for parents to put off discussing their children’s mental health issues until late adolescents. This may be due to the perception that mental health is strictly an adult topic about adult struggles like work stress or relationship issues. But, creating healthy habits for your children’s mental health is as important as teaching them to brush their teeth or tie their shoes. According to the World Health Organization “Worldwide, 10% of children and adolescents experience a mental disorder, but the majority of them do not seek help or receive care”. This can cause significant dysfunction when they reach adulthood, and seriously hinder their development along the way. It is important to keep in mind though, that even children without mental disorders may experience mental health issues, as mental health exists on a continuum.

Additionally, there is a tremendous amount of growth occurring from the ages of 1-12, right before children reach puberty which is a whole other stage of development. This means that the definition of mental health in children shifts as their emotional and cognitive milestones shift. For example, good mental health markers in a toddler will differ to those of a 1st grader. According to the World Health Organization, a big influence on a child’s mental health is their environment. Some things that can disrupt their development are exposure to violence, the mental illness of a parent or other caregivers, bullying and poverty.

While it is completely normal for children to worry or be afraid of certain things, when these feelings begin to stunt or disrupt their ability to socialize with their peers or handle their own emotions it may be a sign something deeper is going on. Below are some of the most common mental disorders found amongst children ages 1-12, and some of the symptoms to look out for according to the CDC.

While treating disorders in children can be a bit difficult because of the natural fluctuations in temperament as they grow, there are ways to manage certain disorders. Play therapy, Art Therapy and Talk therapy are all effective treatments for children who need professional support. It is important to note though, that the conversation about mental health begins at home. Creating a safe and intentional space for your child to express their emotions, fears and anxieties is essential, because often children don’t learn the language needed to express themselves until much later in life. By providing them with tools on how to identify their emotions, self-soothe and communicate their thoughts can help to make your child more resilient in the face of life stress as well trauma.

(This article was contributed by Rollins Clinical Psychology student, Shannon Caicedo)

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556096/

2. https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/basics.html

3. https://www.who.int/activities/improving-the-mental-and-brain-health-of-children-and-adolescents

4. https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/symptoms.html