When it comes to raising kids, it can be difficult to distinguish between typical misbehaviour and deeper issues. How do you know when it’s time to get your child additional help for their mental health? Look out for the following signs:
- Self-destructive behavior: Self-destructive behaviour might look like self-injury, or it could also include things like staying up extremely late on a school night. Generally, this type of behaviour is associated with various mental health
- Changing habits: Keep an eye on your children’s sleeping and eating habits in particular; any extreme or sudden changes may be the result of underlying psychological issues. Changes in academic performance are also something to keep an eye on.
- Extreme emotions: Sadness, anger, and worry are all normal emotions. But when they reach extreme levels that you don’t often see with other kids their age, that could be an indicator that something more is going on. For more information about which types of emotions are normal and which are representative of mental health issues, take a look at the articles at BetterHelp.
- Isolation: It’s very important for children to interact with both their family and their peers as they’re growing up. Isolating themselves and keeping their distance from others can be a warning sign that your child may be experiencing mental health issues.
- Frequent physical complaints: Stress, depression, and anxiety can all show themselves through physical problems like headaches and stomach aches. So if your child has been experiencing physical health complaints that have no obvious cause, a mental health issue may be to blame.
- Preoccupation with death: It’s normal for kids to be curious about death on some level, but when that curiosity reaches the point of obsession, it indicates that something deeper may be going on.
If you’ve noticed these symptoms in your child, be sure to talk to them about what they’ve been going through and let them know you’re there for them. Reach out and get them the help they need by scheduling a session with a counsellor or therapist; your child’s school is likely to have free services as well if you don’t wish to go through a private mental health provider.