Childhood can be a challenging time, and the pressures of growing up can sometimes lead to the development of a mental health issue. Research shows that approximately 12% of young people have a diagnosable mental health problem, such as:
Childhood can be a challenging time, and the pressures of growing up can sometimes lead to the development of a mental health issue. Research shows that approximately 12% of young people have a diagnosable mental health problem, such as:
Figures published by Public Health England suggest that a further 48% of looked-after children suffer from some form of emotional or mental health issue. Many childhood mental health issues can be treated, but early intervention is key. Untreated mental health issues can have an impact on your child’s development, your home life, and your child’s overall mental wellbeing.
There is some suggestion that childhood mental health issues may continue into adulthood, and increase your child’s risk of developing a serious mental health disorder later in life.
Unfortunately, it can be hard to spot the signs of a mental health issue, particularly in children and young adults aged five to 15.
Conditions like depression and anxiety disorder can present with symptoms that are easily confused with normal childhood behaviour. This can include sleeping too much, throwing frequent tantrums, or struggling at school. It can be easy to overlook potential red flags, or assume that you are worrying about normal developments in your child’s behaviour.
Children may experience more than one mental health disorder at a time, so symptoms may seem inconsistent or contradictory. According to research published by Bupa, a UK-based private health provider, 40% of parents struggle to spot the early signs of mental illness.
In this article, you’ll find information to help you identify the symptoms of common mental health issues, guidance on how to talk about mental health issues, how to tackle problems in a constructive way, advice on when to see a doctor, and how to address mental health problems with a child.
It can be difficult to spot mental health issues in children. The symptoms associated with conditions like depression, anxiety or OCD can be hard to distinguish from normal childhood behaviours, and children often struggle to talk about mental health - even if they feel comfortable talking about most other aspects of their life.
This can make it tough to spot the early warning signs of a mental health issue. It might be worth contacting a health professional or talking with your child if you notice new and troubling behaviours that:
Common signs of a mental health issue can include:
In adolescents, you should also look for signs of:
Note: Serious mental health issues require expert help. If your child displays dangerous behaviours, expresses suicidal tendencies or says they want to harm themselves, always seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Above all, trust your instincts and look for subtle indications that something is not right. If you are worried about your child’s behaviour or think they might be suffering from a mental health issue, consider talking to a doctor about your concerns. They will be able to help you make a diagnosis or refer you to a specialist who can evaluate your child’s condition.
Depending on where you are located, this could be a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a social worker, a psychiatric nurse, a mental health counselor or a behavioral therapist.
You may also find it helpful to:
It can be impossible to determine the underlying cause of a mental health issue like anxiety or depression, but there are common factors which may increase the risk of these conditions. These include:
Experiencing one or more of these risk factors doesn't mean that your child will develop a mental health issue, but it makes some form of emotional disturbance more likely. If your child has struggled with one of the above issues, pay attention to their behaviour and monitor them for signs of a mental health issue.
It can be difficult to talk about mental health issues, especially if you have a young child or a child who is already experiencing difficulties. You may find that you:
All these feelings are normal, and conversations about mental health can be challenging for any parent. But talking about mental health is a vital part of helping your child to process and cope with their situation.
You can start by indicating that you want to talk to your child about something important to minimise distractions and ensure they are in the right frame of mind. From there, talk openly and honestly about your child’s emotional well-being. Give them your full attention and make it clear you are listening to everything they say.
Asking open-ended questions like ‘how are you feeling’ is generally more productive than explaining that you’re already worried about their emotional state - remember that you’re there to listen more than speak.
It also helps to validate your child’s emotions whenever possible. It can be tempting to explain that the things they worry about do not matter in the long-term, but your child needs to feel heard, as their emotions will be very real to them.
Try to create a two-way conversation and encourage emotional honesty. It may help to open up to your child about some of your own (unrelated) worries to show them that it is normal to feel scared sometimes, and to demonstrate that they don’t need to be afraid of the stigma around mental health conditions.
If you would like more information on talking to children about mental health issues, or you feel that you could benefit from more thorough guidance on the topic of mental health, you will find some useful resources in the section below. Mental health support groups can be helpful. Alternatively, read more about
.If you are worried that your child might be struggling with a mental health issue, the following organisations may be of interest:
Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.