A Parent’s Guide to Recognizing Mental Health Struggles

Many mental health disorders often start in childhood. This is a critical period for brain development, establishing structure, learning behaviors, and emotional regulation for adulthood.

This is why childhood trauma can be a repressed emotion that adults must learn to navigate and heal from years after the initial incident occurred. Creating safe, nurturing environments for children to thrive can help promote healthy development.

However, even children in the most supportive homes filled with love may be dealing with mental health issues. For parents, it’s important to notice key warning signs to either prevent or reduce the impact of a mental health disorder.

Emotional Changes

As children age, their behaviors and emotions also change. When their toddlers, they rely on their mom and dad for basic human needs. They share just about everything and anything that happened during preschool. But as children grow into elementary schoolers and into their middle school years, it’s more common for them to respond with one-word responses to “how was your day?”

And although teenagers are indeed notorious for shutting their parents out of their lives during their high school years, it isn’t always because they want to keep their lives private. Occasionally, moodiness is one thing, but persistent sadness, isolation, irritability, and withdrawal can be signs of mental health struggles. Frequent outbursts of rage and anger are also signs to be aware of, as are more solemn expressions of feeling worthless or hopeless.

If you’re noticing recurrent emotional shifts, it’s a good idea to pry. Sit down with your child and ask them if you can talk about what you’re noticing. Demonstrate your concern and willingness to collaborate in helping them. If you’re unable to get the answers you’re looking for, ask if they’d be willing to speak with a therapist or counselor. Getting your child’s school counselor involved can also be helpful, so they can be aware of what you’re noticing at home.

Physical Symptoms

Along with emotional changes, physical symptoms can also point to a mental health struggle. This can look like anything from regular headaches or migraines to stomachaches or digestive issues to fatigue and insomnia. If your child was once part of the “clean your plate club,” but now regularly doesn’t finish their lunches or dinners, pay attention. If they look or feel constantly tired even after a full night of sleep, take note.

While school can bring on its own set of stressors — from achieving good grades to finding a friend group — it shouldn’t disrupt how your child looks or feels regularly. Children are pretty resilient and adaptable, which is why physical symptoms shouldn’t be ignored.

If you’ve ruled out that stress is to blame, then it may be necessary to make an appointment with a health care professional. A pediatrician will be able to rule out any health-related causes that could be to blame for these symptoms. They may also be able to recommend further steps, such as seeking a therapist or exploring alternative care options. For instance, a Utah depression treatment center can provide tailored one-on-one care for your child for their mental health.

Behavioral Shifts

Any type of behavioral shift is another key indicator that your child may be struggling with their mental health. If your child once loved playing on their school soccer team, but now struggles to show up to practice, then something may be afoot.

Or if your child was a top-notch student, but is suddenly struggling with their grades, then it may be worth discussing this change with them or their teachers. While some behavioral shifts are normal parts of growing older, any drastic shifts in interests could be red flags.

Other noticeable shifts may include social withdrawal or isolation from family and friends. If your child is keeping their door closed and sleeping well in the afternoon on weekends, it may be another sign of concern. The same goes for an increased or heightened sense of secrecy.

While teens may want to keep some aspects of their lives private, you, as a parent, should be aware of certain behaviors. Secrecy could turn into risky actions, falling in with the wrong friend group, substance abuse, and more.

Discussing behavioral changes with your child early can be a difficult conversation to have. They may be moody, uninterested, or simply unavailable to have this talk. Having a third party present, such as a psychologist or therapist, can help pry information out of them. Further support, such as an evaluation by a mental health professional or pediatrician, may be necessary.

Conclusion

Recognizing mental health warning signs early on can make all the difference in a child’s life. But just because you’re the first to recognize that something is amiss doesn’t mean that you need to solve the problem alone. Child psychologists, therapists, counselors, pediatricians, and other healthcare practitioners can work alongside you to determine a treatment path that’s best for your child.

Some families may decide to go down the route of regular therapy sessions, while others may pursue medication or outpatient services at a treatment center. No matter which path you choose, know that prioritizing your child’s needs is the first step in their healing journey.