Saturday, October 10th was World Mental Health Day and it is important to discuss focusing on our mental health and wellbeing. The goal is to reduce the stigma.
Warning Signs: Young children
- Have frequent tantrums or are intensely irritable much of the time
- Often talk about fears or worries
- Complain about frequent stomach aches or headaches with no known medical cause
- Are in constant motion and cannot sit quietly (except when they are watching videos or playing video games)
- Sleep too much or too little, have frequent nightmares, or seem sleepy during the day
- Are not interested in playing with other children or have difficulty making friends
- Struggle academically or have experienced a recent decline in grades
- Repeat actions or check things many times out of fear that something bad may happen.
Warning Signs: Older children and adolescents
- Have lost interest in things that they used to enjoy
- Have low energy
- Sleep too much or too little, or seem sleepy throughout the day
- Are spending more and more time alone, and avoid social activities with friends or family
- Fear gaining weight, or diet or exercise excessively
- Engage in self-harm behaviors (e.g., cutting or burning their skin)
- Smoke, drink, or use drugs
- Engage in risky or destructive behavior alone or with friends
- Have thoughts of suicide
- Have periods of highly elevated energy and activity, and require much less sleep than usual
- Say that they think someone is trying to control their mind or that they hear things that other people cannot hear.
First Steps for Parents
If you are concerned about your child, where do you begin?
- Talk with your child’s teacher. What is the child’s behavior like in school, daycare, or on the playground?
- Reach out to the school counselor/school psychologist.
- Talk with your child’s pediatrician. Describe the behavior, and report what you have observed and learned from talking with others.
- Ask for a referral to a mental health professional who has experience and expertise dealing with children.
Please let me know if you ever want to discuss anything related to mental health and wellness. I’m happy to help. Together – we can reduce the stigma.
T. Kelly
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