What are the warning signs of Mental Illness in Children?
by Saskia Johnson
Children often face the same health challenges as adults. Mental illness in children is far more common than you might think. 1 in 10 young people between the ages of 5 and 16 are suffering from a diagnosable mental health disorder.
As a parent or someone who works closely with children, it is important to know what warning signs to look out for.
There are many indicators such as drastic mood changes, intense feelings or behavioural changes for no reason, and difficulty concentrating.
There are also more physical signals to keep an eye out for such as a sudden unexplained weight loss, self harming or substance abuse.
The sooner that a mental health disorder is diagnosed, the sooner the child will be able to get the help that they need.
Check out this infographic below:
Mental Health in Children infographic
Surprisingly, some children use drugs or alcohol to try to cope with their feelings. Self harm can also be a challenge. If not adequately addressed in childhood this may result in suicides down the line.
Sadness or anxiety may not be the signs exhibited by them. Headaches and stomach aches may be more important clues where they are regular and unexplained.
Author Bio
Saskia Johnson is a 23 year old freelance graphic designer from Leeds, who has a passion for the welfare of children and young adults. In her free time she loves nothing more than exploring the great outdoors, baking and of course, shopping!
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