Childhood mental illnesses

About 10% of children & young people have a mental health problem, and a small percentage will have a severe mental illness. Ideally, the key to handling these childhood disorders is for parents & carers to recognise the issue and seek appropriate treatment as early as possible.

It is easy for parents to identify their child's physical needs: nutritional food, warm clothes when it's cold, bedtime at a reasonable hour. However, a child's mental and emotional needs may not be so obvious. The basics for a child's good mental health include:

unconditional love from a family
self-confidence and high self-esteem
the opportunity to play with other children
encouraging teachers and supportive caretakers
safe and secure surroundings
appropriate guidance and discipline.

If you are worried about your child's mental health you should contact your GP or school nurse. Assessment is based on a joint working process that should involve psychiatrists and doctors, the child, and the child's family or carers, and school healthcare staff.

Recognising that your child may have a problem, which you may not fully understand is not a sign of failure as a parent.

Signs of possible need for professional help

Decline in school performance , poor grades despite strong efforts , regular worry or anxiety, repeated refusal to go to school or take part in normal children's activities, hyperactivity or fidgeting, persistent nightmares, persistent disobedience or aggression, frequent temper tantrums , depression, sadness or irritability.

Order your copy of 'The Mental Health Act: Essential information for parents and carers' from www.mentalhealthshop.org today or download it here The MH Act, essential information for parents and carers.pdf (225 kb)