The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports good mental health is critical for children as they reach developmental and emotional milestones, gain social skills, and learn how to deal with life’s problems. 

Mental disorders in children change how they behave, learn, and handle emotional trauma or strong emotions. Mentally healthy children function well in their homes, their learning environment and their community and display a positive quality of life.

How do you introduce a child to mental health?

The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) reports children are naturally curious and may have questions about mental health. According to the AACAP, it can be helpful to compare mental health to physical health. As an example, many people experience minor physical illnesses, like a cold or flu, but fewer come down with serious physical illnesses, like cancer or heart disease. In the same way, feelings of sadness, anxiety or irritability are common for most people. However, when those feelings are strong, last for long periods of time or interfere with life, it may indicate signs of a mental illness that requires treatment.

When talking with children about mental health, parents should communicate in a straightforward manner that is appropriate for the child’s age and development level and have the discussion when and where the child feels safe and comfortable. Parents should also monitor the child’s reactions to the discussion and respond appropriately.

Talking to children about mental health can be an opportunity for parents to provide their children with the proper information, support and guidance. Kids learning about mental health can also lead to improved recognition, earlier treatment, greater understanding and compassion, and decreased stigma.

What is mental health in simple words?

Our emotional, psychological and social well-being is mental health. The CDC reports mental health affects how we feel and think and helps determine how we relate to others, handle stress and make healthy choices. 

According to the CDC, mental and physical health are equally important. Some mental health issues can lead to physical health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Similarly, chronic health conditions can increase the risk of mental illness.

What are the 5 core emotional needs of children?

Children have five emotional needs: to feel respected, important, accepted, included and secure. Working to meet these needs provides a foundation for success in life. The Children’s Project describes the five emotional needs as:

  1. Feeling respected
    • Treating children in a courteous, thoughtful, attentive and civil manner makes them feel respected. In turn, this helps children behave the same way.
  2. Feeling important
    • Involving children, asking their opinions, and sharing decision-making and power gives them status and recognition, which makes them feel important. When children do not feel important, they may not develop a sense of value in constructive ways and may seek attention in negative ways.
  3. Feeling accepted
    • Seeing children as individuals with their own uniqueness makes them feel accepted. Children have a right to their own feelings, opinions, concerns, ideas, wants and needs. Paying attention to and discussing these can help strengthen the child-parent relationship.
  4. Feeling included
    • Making a child feel connected to other people and have a sense of community can help them feel included. People who do things together can feel closer to one another. Participating in family activities can offer a way to get closer and have fun while also learning and contributing.
  5. Feeling secure
    • Creating a positive environment where people care for each other, differences are accepted, conflicts are resolved constructively and structure exists brings security to children. Allowing children to actively participate in their own evolution can also help provide security.

What to do if your child needs mental help

When it comes to children’s mental health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports parents and caregivers need to understand how to correctly identify and address issues.

One or more of the following behaviors can indicate a child may need help:

  • Feeling very sad, withdrawn or easily irritated for more than two weeks
  • Seriously trying to harm or kill themselves or making plans to do so
  • Experiencing sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, sometimes with a racing heart or fast breathing
  • Getting in many fights or wanting to hurt others
  • Showing severe, out-of-control behavior that can hurt oneself or others
  • Not eating, throwing up or using laxatives to make themselves lose weight
  • Having intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily activities
  • Experiencing extreme difficulty controlling behavior, putting themself in physical danger or causing problems in school
  • Using drugs or alcohol
  • Having severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
  • Showing drastic changes in behavior or personality
  • Experiencing a drop in their school performance

If you are concerned about a child showing one or more of these behaviors, contact a school counselor, school nurse, mental health provider or your child’s health care professional.

Additionally, it’s important to know how to communicate about mental health and learn ways to support your child.

Communication:

Actively listen to their responses to questions about how they feel, how long they have felt that way, how you can make them feel better, if they would feel more comfortable talking to someone else, and if they have thoughts about harming themselves or others. Seek immediate assistance if you think your child is in danger of harming themself or others.

Education:

Resources on children’s mental health are available.

If you have concerns about a child’s behavior, there are many local resources available to you. Heart of Iowa Community Services (HICS) provides coordination and financial support for mental health and disability services to residents in Adair, Adams, Audubon, Clarke, Dallas, Decatur, Guthrie, Lucas, Marion, Ringgold, Taylor, Union and Wayne counties in Iowa.

Learn more about the resources and service coordination available for children through HICS here.