Mental health is a very important part of your child’s overall health and wellness throughout their childhood years and beyond into adulthood. It is the foundation to building their future and plays an integral role in the relationship to their physical health and their ability to function and succeed at school, at home, and in the world as a whole. Mental health affects everything—the way your child learns, develops, feels, thinks, and acts.
Do you worry about your child having anxiety, depression, stress, or other related illnesses? Do they display new behaviors, such as having outbursts, crying a lot when they don’t get their way, avoiding activities they once enjoyed, or getting very sad for long periods of time?
Stephen Turner, MD
“It can be hard to identify if their struggles are normal or signs of a mental health concern,” says pediatrician Stephen Turner, MD, from Mount Sinai Doctors Brooklyn Heights.
He offers some ways to support children and encourage wellness and how to spot signs and symptoms of a mental health problem.
Any type of change can be hard and intimidating for children of all ages. For example, the end of the school year can really weigh on a child. They might be filled with excitement, sadness, or apprehension as they say goodbye to their teachers and friends.
“What’s important to remember is understanding how they are feeling, helping them through it. Make those fun vacation plans, but also focus on their mental health,” Dr. Turner says. “Let’s face it, some kids love school, and they thrive on that structure, while others can’t wait for summer to begin. School is predictable and can be a child’s safe haven even if they say it’s not ‘cool’ or ‘fun.’”
How do we help children stay healthy mentally and move ahead with a transition to summer break and encourage good health and wellness all year long?
Here are some simple things you can do to help your child be more confident and develop resilience:
- Offer a nurturing and loving environment: offer constant love and support, tell them that you love them, and hug your child often.
- Listen to your child’s concerns.
- Communicate clearly, consistently, and positively.
- Keep the same structure and routine.
- Be in the moment with them: share smiles, stories, and conversation.
- Offer positive reinforcement.
- Applaud their efforts and successes.
- Be a role model and mentor.
Here are some signs and symptoms of a possible mental health concern:
- A change in mood or intense behaviors and tantrums that last for long periods of time or several weeks.
- Take note if the behavior happens a few times a week and if it lasts for a few minutes or a few hours.
- Take note if the behaviors are disruptive for example, and are taking away from family time or causing a scene at a special event.
- Limited interest in the activities they once enjoyed.
- Decline in academics and school performance.
- Excessive anxiety and worrying.
- Withdrawn and sad.
- Rebellious and opposition to parents, caregivers, and authority.
- Interrupted sleep at night with bad dreams and night terrors.
- A change in the way they talk or express themselves, such as using inappropriate or negative language, or having thoughts or talk of hurting themselves. In that case, get help right away and call your doctor or the National Helpline of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)—1-800-662-HELP (4357).
If you’re worried that your child may have a mental health concern, contact your child’s teachers and other adults who see them on a daily basis and take note if they are seeing similar changes in their behavior.
“Most importantly, trust yourself and the gut feeling that you have and contact your child’s pediatrician or a mental health and behavioral specialist to help you,” says Dr. Turner.
To make an appointment with a pediatrician at Mount Sinai Doctors Brooklyn Heights call 929-210-6000.