Mental health may seem like a heavy topic for children, but there are numerous benefits to talking to children about mental illness in age-appropriate ways. At The Pavilion in Williamsburg, Virginia, we want to give parents the tools they need to discuss mental health with their children in a productive and helpful manner.
Why Children Need to Understand Mental Health
There are many reasons why it is a good idea for parents to teach their children about mental health:
- The onset of many mental illnesses can occur during late childhood or adolescence. Giving children the ability to recognize mental health symptoms, the vocabulary to discuss them and permission to speak freely about the topic may make it easier for them to get help if they need it.
- The COVID-19 pandemic created conditions that may place children, teens, and adults at greater risk for developing mental health concerns. Isolation from friends, worry about the well-being of ourselves and others, and general uncertainty may take an even greater toll on children and adolescents than on adults.
- There is a genetic component to some mental health disorders, so if you or other members of your family have a mental illness, your child may also be at increased risk for mental illness. Knowing this may allow them to take preventative measures, to preserve their well-being.
- Even if your child never develops a mental health disorder, the chances are high that they will have a friend, classmate, or future co-worker with a mental illness. Being knowledgeable about mental health could make your child a better ally to this person.
What You Should Tell Your Child
What your child is capable of understanding about mental health will depend on their own developmental level. The following is a general guideline:
- Preschoolers: At this age, children are most likely to benefit from clear explanations of the things they experience and witness. If an adult is yelling, crying, or behaving in other, unexpected ways, the child might have questions or concerns. Simple, straightforward explanations are the best way to handle the conversation.
- School-aged children: As children move into grade school, their questions may go more in-depth. They might want to know why someone around them seems sad or angry so often. They might witness peers who are displaying early signs of mental illness. It is important to be honest and open.
- Teenagers: Your child may already know multiple people their own age with mental health conditions by the time they are in high school. Depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental illnesses often manifest by this point. If you start talking about mental health early and leave the door open for additional conversations, your child may be more open about coming to you with mental health questions in their teen years. They may have more complicated questions at this stage, and you may have to help them investigate and ensure they are using credible sources of information and not embracing myths or stigmas about mental illness.
Signs of Mental Illness in Children
If your child has started to exhibit concerning behaviors, you may start to wonder if they could be developing a mental illness. Your child’s pediatrician may be your first step in getting them the help they need. Signs you should look for, that could signal an emerging mental health disorder include:
Young children:
- Frequent tantrums
- Excessive worries or fear
- On-going headaches or stomach aches with no apparent medical cause
- Difficulty staying still for as long as other kids their age
- Sleep disturbances
- Trouble making friends
- School problems
Older children:
- Less interest in activities they used to love
- Low energy
- Isolating themselves from other people
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Engaging in self-injurious behaviors
- Substance use
- Unhealthy risk-taking
At The Pavilion, we provide mental health support for adults, seniors, and families, but we know that caring for a person’s mental well-being is a lifelong process. We provide tools that families can use to understand and navigate mental illness.
