Lisa Pawlak
Check Your Family’s Mental Health
Even before the COVID-19
pandemic began, mental health challenges among kids and teens were on the rise. In the last year and a half, they have skyrocketed. According to a recent joint declaration from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Children’s Hospital Association, “We are caring for young people with soaring rates of depression, anxiety, trauma, loneliness, and suicidality that will have lasting impacts on them, their families, and their communities.” Here we discuss what to do if a mental health issue is suspected, warning signs to watch for, why it’s important (for kids) that parents do self-checks and where to find help.
If you, your child, or someone you know is in immediate crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800273-TALK (8255) or the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
22 • SanDiegofamily.com • January 2022
What to Do if You Suspect a Mental Health Issue When children experience mental health challenges, they often exhibit unusual behaviors. For example, your child may throw frequent tantrums or become generally more irritable and withdrawn. Many kids and teens experience changes in sleep patterns or avoid activities they used to enjoy; some begin to struggle socially or academically. Additional signs can include physical symptoms like stomachaches or headaches, selfharming behaviors like cutting or burning, disordered eating or excessive exercise and thoughts of suicide. “The average time between the onset of symptoms and treatment is 10–13 years,” says Cathryn Nacario, chief executive officer of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) San Diego & Imperial Counties. “The first signs of mental health challenges typically occur in late adolescence, but the child is often afraid to say something or just doesn’t know what is going on. We encourage parents to have open dialogue with their children about mental health so symptoms can be identified early, allowing for proactive intervention and treatment, which leads to much greater success.” For many parents, one of the most difficult things is starting the conversation with kids. Many experts suggest communicating in a straightforward manner, speaking at an age-appropriate level, choosing discussion times when your child feels safe and comfortable, taking cues from their reactions on when to slow down or back off, and listening openly to their thoughts, feelings and concerns. If you suspect your child is suffering from a mental health condition, try reaching out to their doctor, school nurse, other medical providers, and the school counselor to learn more about your child’s behaviors, what may be causing them, and what treatment options are available. Make sure to ask whether consulting a child behavioral specialist would be beneficial.
