Health and wellness are core necessities to wellbeing. It's important to have access to good information on children's mental health or a mental illness. Then you can make the best decisions for you and your child.
Mental health issues can affect the way children learn, act and handle their emotions. This can impact their life at home, school and more. When children receive the support they deserve, the brighter their future will be.
If you need ideas to improve your child's health and wellness, talk with your healthcare provider. Ask for advice from healthy supporters or use reputable internet sources. Remember, there is hope wherever you are.
Types of children’s mental health disorders
- Anxiety Disorder
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Psychosis
- Self-Harm
Mental health impacts physical health.
Your child's mental health impacts their success at school, home and with friends. Mental health symptoms can begin in childhood, but may develop during the teen years.
Sometimes, children lack the ability to express how they're feeling mentally. This can make it harder to identify a mental health concern. Your child may complain of stomach aches or headaches, feeling tired or having low energy. Ups and downs are normal, but it's important to pay attention to their symptoms.
Learn more about symptoms of mental health concerns with NIH
Questions about your or your child's mental health? Your Life Iowa can listen and connect you with support. Contact YLI 24/7.
There are many risk factors that contribute to children's mental health concerns.
Mental health is something that affects everyone - even children. It's important to be aware of what can contribute to poor mental health for your own wellbeing and your child's. Any combination of these risk factors could contribute to poor mental health1,2.
- Experiencing abuse or neglect.
- Parental mental health or substance use problems.
- Living in poverty.
- Family stress.
- Domestic violence.
- Divorce/marital conflict.
- Low self-esteem.
- Experiencing bullying.
- Social isolation.
Citations
- Mental Illness. Mayo Clinic. 2022.
- Early Childhood Mental Health. Center of the Developing Child: Harvard University.
Brain injuries can be a multi-occurring condition with mental health concerns.
Brain injuries are often a multi-occurring condition with mental health concerns. It's important to include brain injury screening in your approach to help patients. Brain injury screening tools assess a person's exposure to brain injury. Learn more with the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa.
Helping your child take care of themselves is important.
That includes their emotional and mental wellbeing. This will help them to better copy with what life throws their way. Help make self-care a regular part of daily life for your child and help them become more resilient.
Encourage them to try some of these self-care activities1:
- Take a walk outside.
- Drink a glass of water.
- Make yourself or have a parent or guardian make a meal that you enjoy.
- Re-read one of your all-time favorite books.
- Give someone a compliment - and then compliment yourself, too!
- Play with a pet.
- Listen to a favorite music playlist.
- Take a hot shower or bath.
- Choose how you spend your time, resources or energy wisely.
- Think about 10 things you are thankful fore.
- Spend a few minutes stretching and breathing deeply.
- Take a short break for a healthy snack or drink.
- Watch your favorite movie.
- Write yourself a letter about a few things that are bothering you - then throw it away.
- Call us at Your Life Iowa.
Support and help are available through Live Chat, by calling (855)581-8111 or by texting (855) 895-8398.
Citation
- Help Yourself. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
What is a crisis?
A mental health crisis occurs when acute or chronic stressors become too much to handle. Your child may experience a crisis due to internal or external factors. They may feel overwhelmed or unable to function in daily life. They may feel at risk due to hurting themselves or others.
As a parent, you may also feel unable to manage your child's mental health concerns. That can lead to a crisis. You can also reach out to Your Life Iowa for support for yourself.
Here are more support options that may be available in your community:
Crisis Stabilization Community-Based Services are short-term services. They provide services where the individual lives, works or socializes. They help de-escalate and stabilize an individual following a mental health crisis.
Crisis Stabilization Residential Services are short-term living arrangements. They help to de-escalate and stabilize an individual after a mental health crisis.
Mobile Response is an on-site, face-to-face mental health service. It is for individuals experiencing a crisis. Mobile response staff are able to intervene wherever the crisis is occurring.
23-Hour Observation and Holding is a secure and protected environment. Individuals can stay up to 23 hours. It is staffed by medical professionals and provides a supervised treatment environment.
Warm Line is a telephone line staffed by individuals with lived experience. They provide nonjudgmental, nondirective support to an individual experiencing a crisis.
Support and help is available through Your Life Iowa. Life Chat, by call (855) 581-8111 or by texting (855) 895-8398.
Regional resources are available across Iowa.
Mental Health and Disability Services Regions funded by the state. They are responsible for providing the following services:
Providing access to services. This includes crisis services, inpatient and outpatient mental health services, and daily living supports.
- Funding core services for individuals who meet eligibility criteria.
- Connecting individuals to services and supports.
Learn more about the Mental Health and Disability Services (MHDS) Regions
Find your Region here Find your Regional Coordinators of Adult Disability Services here
Learn how to help during a mental health crisis.
Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches how to respond in a mental health emergency to youth. They also help teach how to offer support to a young person who appears to be in emotional stress.
Learn more about Youth Mental Health First Aid
Support and help is available through Live Chat, by calling (855) 581-8111 or by texting (855) 895-8398.
What mental health conditions are common in children?
There are certain mental health conditions that may be more common in children. Common mental health conditions in children include1:
- Anxiety disorders
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Autism Spectrum Disorders - appears early in childhood, usually before three years old.
- Depression.
- Eating disorders.
What do you do as a parent or caregiver?
It can be difficult to know what to do when your child is experiencing a mental health concern.
If you're concerned about your child's mental health, there are things you can do to help your child1. Talk to those who know your child, their teacher or other adults. Ask if they've noticed any changes in your child's behavior or mood.
The next thing you can do is discuss your child's mental health with their primary care doctor. Make sure to list out the behavior or mood changes you've noticed. A primary care doctor can help refer you to more resources that may be helpful.
Remember, you can always contact Your Life Iowa if you're unsure how to get your child the help they need.
What are warning signs of childhood mental concerns?
It may be difficult to know if your child is experiencing a mental health concern/disorder. It's important to know the signs to look for in your child so you can help get them the help they need.
Warning signs include1:
- Withdrawing from family/friends.
- Avoiding social interaction.
- Missing school.
- Changing in school performance.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Frequent headaches or stomach aches.
- Outbursts or extreme irritability.
- Changes in eating patterns.
- Drastic mood changes.
How to support my child?
It's important to show your child support. You can help them cope if they are experiencing a mental health concern. Ways you can help your child cope are1:
- Research and learn about the mental health concern they are experiencing.
- Try family counseling.
- Learn about stress management techniques so you can respond to your child in a calm manner.
- Praise your child for their strengths.
- Work with the school to ensure your child receives support at school, if needed.
What is recovery?
Recovery varies based on a person's situations and needs, and it looks different for everyone.
Recovery is more than sobriety and abstinence. Recovery is about coming to recognize things you've been through and all that you've overcome. Recovery centers on individual needs.
The path to recovery may look different for each person. Pathways to recovery include activities that promote health and wellbeing, such as:
- Going to peer support meetings.
- Seeking treatment.
- Connecting with community resources.
- Developing and maintaining an ongoing network of support.
Recovery often looks different over time. Circumstances change as recovery progresses. Having allies and a community of support helps in sustaining long term recovery. Wherever you are in your or your child's recovery journey, YLI is here to help.
Learn More About Mental Health Recovery
Citation
- Mental illness in children: Know the signs. Mayo Clinic. 2022.
Encouragement. One Text at a time.
You can never have too much support. That's why Your Life Iowa created our supportive text messaging program. Sign up to receive encouraging messages, no matter what you may be facing.
The language we use matters.
How we talk and think about mental health impacts our children's health and wellbeing. A negative attitude can prevent children from feeling comfortable talking about mental health. This can have life-changing consequences if left unaddressed.
The good news is that there are safe, effective tools for combating stigma. You can help reduce stigma.
One of the main ways people perpetuate stigma is through language.
Terms like "crazy" or "psycho" create the idea that those with a mental illness are dangerous or bad. Slang or derogatory terms also perpetuate negative connotations. Rather, use person-first language and proper medical terms (i.e., a person who has depression).
Do not use mental illness as a "catch all" to describe a negative behavior. For example, do not use "She's so bipolar" to describe someone's actions.
Have open, honest conversations about stigma and mental health. Make sure to listen and support them. Offer to help connect them with more support. Your Life Iowa can help you start a conversation about mental health with a loved one.
Learn more about mental health concerns and how they are treatable medical conditions. People with a mental health condition or mental illness deserve compassion and respect.
Want to find help on your own?
Your Life Iowa is always here to help you find resources near you. However, we understand that sometimes you’d like to look for help on your own. Our map will let you do just that.
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Are you family or friends with someone who needs help with children’s mental health?
Find out how Your Life Iowa can provide support for them – and you.