Your Childs Mental Health

Mental health affects how we think, feel and behave; that is why taking care of your mental health is just as important as physical health. Your contribution as a parent is important to your child's wellbeing:

How do I be sure that my child's emotional wellbeing grows well?

Help your child build healthy, strong relationships:

Children and teens need to nurture strong bonds with family and friends. Spend some time together at the table every night.

Someone who is important to your child and whose presence is constant daily can play a key role in developing their resilience. This person, often a parent or other family member, is someone your child spends a lot of time with and knows they can turn to when needed.

Show your child how to deal with any problems that arise.

Help your child or teen develop good self-esteem so that they feel good about themselves:

• Show a lot of love and acceptance.
• Praise him for his good moves.
• Ask him questions about his activities and interests.
• Help him set realistic goals.

Listen, and respect his feelings:

It is normal for children and adolescents to be sad or angry. Please encourage them to talk about their feelings.

Help your child find someone else to talk to if they are uncomfortable with you.

Create a reassuring and positive family environment:

Monitor your child's use of media, both content and time spent. This includes television, movies, the Internet, and electronic games (whether handheld or requiring a computer or television).

Be careful when discussing serious family matters like finances, marital problems, or illness in your child's presence. Children can tend to worry easily.

Set aside time for physical activity, play, and family activities.

Set an example in taking care of your sanity - talk about your feelings. Make time for the activities you enjoy.

In troubling times, give your child guidance to help them solve their challenges:

• Teach him how to relax when he is not feeling well: by taking deep breaths, doing something relaxing (such as a quiet activity that he likes), spending some time alone, or going for a walk.
• See if there are potential alternatives or ideas to the problem. Then think about ways of executing such solutions or ideas. When you take control of anything, you would have little to care for.

 

Mental illness problems of youth and infants

In Canada, one in five children or adolescents (20%) has a diagnosable mental disorder. These include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, drug or alcohol abuse, eating disorders and learning disabilities.

Mental health disorders can affect young people of all ages and races, regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, and culture. However, certain situations can increase the risks, including:

• A family history of mental illness;
• The difficult economic situation of new immigrants or refugees;
• Poorer overall health, isolated community life, and limited educational and employment opportunities for Aboriginal children and youth;
• Family rejection and bullying of LGBTQ children and adolescents;
• A dramatic change, such as relocation to a new area, death of a parent, or illness of a near friend
• Experiencing or witnessing trauma, such as violence.
• The consumption of psychoactive substances.

Unfortunately, too often, help comes too late. A mental illness can delay a child's academic growth, social, or personal development. Children and adolescents with a mental disorder may have difficulty navigating certain stages of their development.

It is positive news, but the bad news is that you have to deal with emotional issues. Many approaches may handle emotional or neurological disorders, but it is important to act quickly. Please don't wait until it is too late to start treating this issue, for the impact on your child would be.

How do you know if a child or adolescent has a mental health problem?

Each person is different. If you think your child might be suffering from such a problem, try to detect a change in the way they think or act or in their emotional state. Mental health problems can also have physical repercussions.

Changes in thinking

• Says Negative Things About Him, Or Blames Himself For Things Beyond His Control
• Has Difficulty Concentrating
• Maintains Negative Thoughts
• See His School Results Change

Affective changes

• Reacts disproportionately to the situation
• Seems very unhappy, worried, guilty, angry, fearful, irritable, or sad
• Feels helpless, hopeless, lonely, or rejected

Behavior changes

• Often seeks to be alone
• Cries easily
• Loses interest in, or avoids, sports, games, or activities altogether
• Reacts disproportionately, suddenly becomes angry, or bursts into tears over minor incidents
• Is calmer than usual, less energetic
• Has difficulty relaxing or sleeping
• Spend a lot of time daydreaming
• Regresses to immature habits
• Has difficulty getting along with friends

Physical changes

• Complains of headache, stomach ache, neck pain, or general pain
• Lack of energy or is perpetually tired
• Has eating or sleeping problems
• Has an overload of energy or a nervous tic such as biting nails, playing in your hair, or sucking your thumb

Remember: Having one or more of these changes in your child or teen does not necessarily mean they have a mental health problem.

 

Where to find help?

There are many ways to build a happy and successful life for your children. For example, you could share your concerns with your doctor. Talk to your pediatrician:

• If the behaviors described above persist, or if they prevent your child from functioning normally;
• If you are concerned about your child's mental and emotional health;

Whenever there are behavior and mental check-up with your child

• If your child or teen talks about suicide or thinks about harming themselves, call your doctor or a mental health helpline right away.

Kentucky case management provides the best mental health solutions for you children all over the

USA.