Child Mental Health Issues

Mental health problems affect about 1 in 10 children and young people.

Child mental health issues. Mental disorders among children are described as serious changes in the way children typically learn behave or handle their emotions which cause distress and problems getting through the day. Mental health disorders in children are generally defined as delays or disruptions in developing age appropriate thinking behaviors social skills or regulation of emotions. Mental health issues can also sometimes lead to safeguarding and child protection issues for example if a child s mental health begins to put them or other people at risk of harm.

Alarmingly however 70 of children and young people who experience a mental health problem have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age. For many adults who have mental disorders symptoms were present but often not recognized or addressed in childhood and adolescence. For a young person with symptoms of a mental disorder the earlier treatment is started the more effective it can be.

Without treatment children with mental health issues are at increased risk of school failure contact with the criminal justice system dependence on social services and even suicide. We ve got advice to help you support children who may be experiencing depression anxiety suicidal feelings or self harm. Mental health is an important part of overall health for children as well as adults.

Some of these illnesses such as anxiety disorders eating disorders mood disorders and schizophrenia can occur in adults as well. Lack of access to supports can have a serious and lasting impact across all areas of a child s life. Negative experiences such as abuse and neglect can adversely impact a child s mental health.

Children s mental health recognising the signs that a child may be struggling with their mental health can be really hard. Many children occasionally have problems like fears and worries or disruptive behaviors. Children s mental health mental health problems affect 1 in 5 young people but two thirds of those who need treatment do not have access to it.

These problems are distressing to children and disrupt their ability to function well at home in school or in other social situations. Adhd is the most commonly diagnosed mental disorder in children.