Do you know how to tell if your child or teen needs mental health intervention?
The kids are really going through it. Things are so different than when you and I grew up: social media was not a thing for many of us when we were our children’s age, and the only drills I recall were fire and tornado drills. I really don’t know what my younger, anxiety-ridden self would have done if I had to practice what to do in an active shooter situation. Not to mention LIVING THROUGH A PANDEMIC. Woof. One of my best friends (who is a therapist who works with teens) sent me an article earlier this week titled “America’s Teenage Girls Are Not Okay.” While this article does focus on teenage anxiety in teen girls, the fact of the matter is that child and teen mental health concerns have increased exponentially in the past several years. Now, I know that my lens is very nuanced; I do this work daily, so it’s not surprising to me that there is a pediatric and adolescent mental health crisis. But I wanted to take a step back and look at this through my lens as a parent. If I didn’t do this work, how would I know if Samuel needed mental health intervention? I figured if I’m thinking this, some of you are also thinking the same.
So, how do you know to seek additional services for mental health concerns? Basically, it really boils down to seeing changes in daily functioning with your child or teenager. While I am an expert on the medications and other helpful interventions in these situations, YOU are the expert on your child (I will get on my soapbox later about medical professionals who minimize concerns, so stay tuned). Here are a few areas where changes could signal the need for additional support and intervention:
- Changes in Behavior: Noticeable changes in behavior, such as sudden withdrawal from social activities, irritability, aggression, or mood swings, can indicate underlying mental health issues.
- Changes in School Performance: A decline in academic performance, frequent absences, or difficulty concentrating can be signs of mental health struggles affecting their ability to focus and engage in learning.
- Physical Symptoms: Recurrent headaches, stomachaches, or other physical complaints without a clear medical cause could be manifestations of stress, anxiety, or other mental health issues.
- Social Withdrawal: If your child or teen is avoiding social interactions, spending excessive time alone, or showing disinterest in activities they once enjoyed, it might indicate feelings of isolation or depression.
- Changes in Sleeping or Eating Patterns: Significant changes in sleeping or eating habits, such as insomnia, oversleeping, loss of appetite, or overeating, can be signs of emotional distress.
- Expressing Hopelessness or Worthlessness: Statements indicating a sense of hopelessness, worthlessness, or self-deprecation should be taken seriously as they may indicate depression or suicidal ideation.
It’s also not a bad idea to talk to others in your child’s life who could provide additional perspectives. School-aged children and teenagers spend most of their time in school and participating in extracurricular activities. In fact, I often hear parents tell me that teachers, coaches, school counselors, etc., have been the people to initiate conversations around concerns of this nature. This collateral information can be extremely helpful.
With all of this in mind, what would be the next steps?
Talk with your child’s pediatrician. They are typically the first line for concerns related to pediatric and adolescent development. Pediatricians are now more consistently administering screenings in the office to determine if depression and/or anxiety are of concern. I would say that over 90% of my referrals are from pediatricians.
If you bring up concerns and are not satisfied that they are being heard, continue to advocate for your child and insist on resources. I don’t see much of it in pediatrics, but nothing grinds my gears more than a medical professional who acts as the singular expert. As I said earlier, I am an expert on the medications; YOU are the expert on your child. And THAT’S the dynamic that should be occurring. Okay, I’m stepping down from my soapbox.
At the end of the day, trust your instincts. Nine times out of 10, they are spot on. And people like myself are here to support and help.
