Protecting Kids’ Mental Health

Every parent wants their child to have the strongest foundation possible for their mental health to flourish. A child with a healthy mindset and emotional resiliency can weather almost any storm. They can control their thoughts and emotions and react constructively.

Protecting kids’ mental health is of utmost importance, and there are things you can do when you see that your child may need a little extra support. Be aware of children’s most common mental health disorders and look for the signs.

Why kids’ mental health is important

Your child’s quality of life depends on their ability to constructively recognize and process situations and events. Their relationships and careers will depend on how they communicate and interact with others. Although all children are different, each child should reach milestones as they grow. These milestones are physical, emotional, and developmental in nature.

Children will reach developmental targets at different stages; not all delays are due to a mental health disorder. Your child may struggle with a learning disability or emotions that keep them from focusing on specific tasks. Only a licensed mental health provider can determine if your child is just struggling with an issue or if they may have a mental health disorder.

When your child’s symptoms consistently interfere with their friendships, family relationships, and school life for weeks or months, and they cannot seem to move through it, consider speaking to a counselor.

Mental health disorders can be chronic and affect not only the mental and emotional aspects of health but also physical health. Many children dealing with anxiety and depression, for example, develop gastrointestinal issues and headaches. They complain of tummy aches and seem to catch viruses and colds easily as their immune system lowers.

When a child feels sick and sluggish, they may isolate themselves from friends and family. Children who are struggling may feel alone or like no one understands. As a parent or guardian, you must reassure them that you are available and open to talking with them. You want your child to feel they can trust you so that they will share their mental and emotional struggles with you.

Some circumstances will be easier to recognize than others. Children may have difficulty coping with grief or trauma and need extra support. However, they may struggle with other issues in secret, such as bullying or abuse.

In some cases, brain chemistry plays a role, and a chemical imbalance may be present. Your child may not understand their sudden disinterest in their favorite hobbies or why they always feel sad. A counselor can help your child uncover why things do not feel right.

If your child is in school, recruit the help of your school counselor and your child’s teacher. These two people are excellent resources and often spend a great deal of time with your child. They, too, care about kids’ mental health. Discuss your concerns with them and consider their suggestions. You may need to visit your pediatrician and request a referral to a mental health provider to help your child fully.

It is in your child’s best interest if you advocate for them and put together a mental health team. This team can include your primary care physician, pediatrician, school counselor, teachers, psychologist, or psychiatrist. If you want to strengthen and deepen their faith during this struggle, consider adding a Christian counselor to your kid’s mental health team.

Common mental disorders in children

Although several types of mental disorders are diagnosed in children each year, you should be aware of the signs of the four most common. Mental disorders interfere with a child’s ability to concentrate and remember tasks and assignments. They can bring about negative thoughts and poor body image.

Mental disorders leave your child at a higher risk for impulsive behaviors, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. Getting the help your child needs as early as possible is key to producing a healthy mind.

ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

You may be familiar with ADD (Attention-Deficit Disorder), a condition now categorized as ADHD, even if hyperactivity is not present in the child’s condition. Children with ADHD have trouble focusing on a task or assignment, remembering things, and organizing. They may interrupt, fidget, and struggle to wait their turn, and often behave impulsively.

Depending on your child’s age and the severity of ADHD, your child may do well in talk, art, music, or play therapy. They will learn techniques to help them quiet their mind, focus on a task, and control impulsive behaviors.

Anxiety

Anxiety is also a learned behavior. Children use the adults around them as role models, and if they are surrounded by or raised by anxious adults, this behavior will become engrained in them. Anxiety leads to chronic stress, chronic inflammation, and physical illnesses.

Depression

Persistent sadness and lethargy can be signs of depression. Children with depression may also lash out at others or display irritable and angry behaviors. Some children become confrontational and violent. Their appetite changes, either barely able to eat or binge-eating for comfort. A child may see rapid weight gain or loss.

Depression can leave a child with little energy and the desire to isolate. This is a period of time that a child should be monitored for any preoccupation with death or any talk of harming others or self. Children will feel sad sometimes, but if it continues for more than a few weeks, it may be depression.

Behavioral Problems

As children grow and resume a separate identity from their parents, there are bound to be disagreements. However, suppose you notice your child’s anger is getting the best of him or he is becoming more violent or confrontational at home and school. In that case, he may have a behavioral disorder that will require professional help to manage.

Behavioral and conduct disorders can sometimes be challenging to diagnose as children advance through the awkward preteen and teen years and tend to feel emotions at a heightened level.

However, if you notice your child losing his temper often, throwing or kicking things, starting fights, blaming others, breaking the rules, and being aggressive, a counselor may need to assess the situation. These are symptoms of conditions like Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, and Intermittent Explosive Disorder.

Activities to encourage positive kids’ mental health

Working with a counselor and engaging in talk therapy can be an invaluable option to improve your kids’ mental health. A combination of therapy, medication, and skill building may be used together to help your child cope. Try a few of these activities at home to boost their mental health.

Brainstorm creative activities

Children of all ages can engage in creative activities such as journaling, storytelling, art, or music. Creative expression is an excellent way for children to transfer anxious thoughts and worries from their minds into a tangible form. See what works best for your child.

Teach deep breathing exercises

All children can learn deep breathing exercises to help them slow down and quiet their minds after a long day, before an exam, or whenever they feel anxious or worried. You can find fun and easy breathing techniques for children online.

Research sensory activities

Children use their senses to explore the world. It helps to draw on your senses during a particularly stressful time. Manipulating objects and fidgeting actually help a child to focus more. You can find fidget-type spinners, bubble pop type toys, and other sensory activities online and in stores.

When you need support

Your child may be exhibiting signs of ADHD, anxiety, depression, or behavioral problems, and you know you need to seek support. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with a Christian counselor who can walk with you on the journey to positive kids’ mental health.