The benefits of mental health services for younger kids
A lot of parents ask why they should consider mental health services for their young children.
First, one in five children, from birth to age 18, has a diagnosable mental health disorder.
Second, preschool children are three times more likely to be expelled from school than children in kindergarten through 12th grade. This is usually due to a lack of attention or social and emotional needs.
Lastly, mental health is an important part of our overall health.
Your child may need a mental health professional if …
Look for significant changes or serious challenges to your child’s learning, behavior, socialization, or even emotional outbursts.
Common early childhood mental disorders
The most common mental disorders that begin and are diagnosed in early childhood are ADHD, behavior and conduct disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, Tourrets syndrome, and autism spectrum disorders.
What if I suspect my child needs help?
Early identification can really help your child reach his or her full potential. If you have any concerns, address them with your pediatrician. A comprehensive treatment plan can include psychotherapy, education, parenting strategies, and, in some cases, medication.
In the last two years my 15 year old nephew has had several mental health issues such as hearing voices and seeing thing as well as the Bipolar disorder, ADHD, and autism my sister was choosing not to belive her own son when he came to her and told he he is hearing and seeing things and at the age of 15 he has now attempted suicide twice by hanging himself and threatened to do it again. Im not sure as to why my sister chooses to ignore the issues when he was already being treated with medications for everything elce but what finally made her to deside to listen was waking up to her sons hand up her shirt grouping her. She fially desided to go through his computer to find that he has been surching for how to have sex with someone who is sleeping, how to kill someone in their sleep, mother and son porn, what to put in someones beer to kill them, as well as looking up the dark web. Now thanks to her not seeking him the help he needed as soon as she knew he needed it he has been in and out of phyc. Hospital’s and was not aloud to go home this time due to him being a risk to his mother and step sister and has to go into a group home. So please if your children come to you about mental health issues get them taken care of and in most cases their were signs even before they come tou you. So please parents keep a close eye on your children , listen to them when they talk and above all make them fwwl likebthey can talk to you about anything so if they do need help they will come to you.
Thank you for your comment. Mental illness is often very hard on families. We try our best not to judge and to keep our minds open to hearing the complaints of children and their families. Yes, adults need to be willing to listen whenever possible but without walking in your sister’s shoes I cannot judge how she has handled her son. I am happy he is getting help and hope that she is able to find her own help as she navigates this illness alongside her son.
My nephew has had social and emotional issues since he was very little. He is in therapy (individual as well as small group). It has helped him learn how to deal with his emotional outburst as well as how to interact better with his peers. Early intervention has been so helpful for him and I think we are definitely on the right track. My sister is also great at communicating his needs with his teacher. The home-school connection is another important aspect in helping these children cope with their struggles. 🙂