On May 11, Maryvale will join organizations around the country in observing National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, an important touchstone within Mental Health Awareness Month. The goals of this day are to raise awareness about the importance of children's mental health, promote positive psychological development among children, and educate communities about the risk factors and treatment options they should know about to ensure that their children receive the care they need.
Children have a delicate psychology, and because their cognitive development is ongoing until roughly the age of 16, it is crucial that they experience mental stability and support. Nearly 15 million young people are affected by a mental illness, and fewer than half of them receive appropriate services from a mental health provider.
When Parents Should Be On Alert
Let’s face the facts - raising children is not easy. Even when parents and caregivers do everything they can to ensure a child’s happy upbringing, children’s behaviors and feelings are subject to frequent, unpredictable changes. All children feel sad, anxious, cranky, or aggressive at times. Their behavior can swing from peaceful and nap-ready to hyperactive or irritable. Most of the time, these shifts are normal and occur throughout a child’s development. In some cases, however, these behaviors can signal a more serious problem.
If you’re asking yourself whether it’s just a phase or a more significant issue, you’re not alone. Since the focus of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day hones in on children with severe disorders, here are the most critical illnesses and symptoms to be on the lookout for:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – ADHD is a very common developmental disorder that shows up as hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. If your child is struggling to pay attention at school, can’t sit still, and has erratic social behaviors, it is worth having them tested for ADHD.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder – Autism is characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive or restrictive behaviors. Because it is a spectrum, Autism occurs very differently in different people. Educators can help identify behaviors that indicate whether a child should be screened, and child psychologists can help you understand the severity of a child’s disorder.
- Schizophrenia - This psychotic disorder affects a child’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, often leading to hallucinations and delusions. If a child seems persistently withdrawn, emotionally closed off, or struggles to think or speak clearly, they may be suffering from schizophrenia. Mental health experts can provide comprehensive psychological and physical exams to understand a child’s condition.
- Bipolar Disorder – Does your child oscillate between ecstatic moods with high energy and dark, unhappy feelings that leave them feeling deflated or hopeless? If so, they may be experiencing bipolar disorder, a mood disorder characterized by episodes of mania and depression.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – If a child acts compulsively, expresses frequent paranoia, or repeats idiosyncratic behaviors, it is possible that they have OCD.
- Depression – A child who suffers from persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in daily activities may be depressed.
- Anxiety Disorders – A child who displays excessive worry, fear, and anxiety that interferes with their activities and relationships might be suffering from anxiety.
The Importance of Catching Mental Illness Early
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, initially created Child’s Mental Health Awareness Day to increase public awareness about the needs of children with serious mental illnesses and severe emotional disturbances and their families. Awareness is the first step to helping equip people that need it with information on evidence-based practices, and to encourage those who need help to find the right treatment.
It is important for parents to know that mental illnesses can present differently in children than in adults, and proper diagnosis and treatment require specialized care from mental health professionals. It is also worth noting that many mental disorders can begin in childhood and can worsen or change throughout a person’s life. Without treatment, these conditions can inhibit children from reaching their full potential. As adults, many people who seek mental health treatment reflect on the impact of mental disorders on their childhood. It is common for them to wish they had received the help they needed sooner.
Maryvale takes an active role in improving access to holistic, trauma-informed children’s mental health services by bringing together a comprehensive support network. We focus on high-quality treatment that considers a child’s whole experience and includes their families in the therapeutic process to ensure its efficacy. Learn more about our community-based approach to mental health.
