There are some warning signs that may signal a child has a mental health problem and is in need of help. If you notice any of the warning signs exhibited by your child, talk to a doctor, mental health professional, or anyone trained to assist in determining if your child has a mental health problem.

 

Pay attention if a child you know is troubled by feeling:

· Sad and hopeless without good reason,

· Very angry most of the time, cries a lot, or overreacts to things;

· Worthless or guilty a lot;

· Anxious or worried a lot more than other young people;

· Grief for a prolonged time after a loss or death;

· Extremely fearful

· Constantly concerned about physical problems or appearance;

· Frightened that his or her mind is controlled or is out of control.

 

Pay attention if a child you know experiences big changes, such as:

· Does much worse in school;

· Loses interest in things usually enjoyed;

· Has unexplained changes in sleeping or eating habits;

· Avoids friends or family and wants to be alone all the time;

· Daydreams too much

· Hears voices that cannot be explained.

 

Pay attention if a child you know is limited by:

· Poor concentration;

· Inability to sit still or focus attention;

· Worry about being harmed, hurting others, or about doing something "bad";

· The need to wash, clean things, or perform certain routines dozens of times a day;

· Thoughts that race almost too fast to follow;

· Persistent nightmares.

 

Pay attention if a child you know behaves in problematic ways, such as:

· Eats large amounts of food and then forces vomiting, abuses laxatives, or takes enemas to avoid weight gain;

· Continues to diet or exercise obsessively although bone-thin;

· Often hurts other people, destroys property, or breaks the law;

· Does things that can be life-threatening.

 

 

Information taken from "Your Child’s Mental Health: What Every Parent Should Know", by Caring For Every Child’s Mental Health: Communities Together Campaign, available from The National Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN) at: www.mentalhealth.org.

 

KEN provides much information on mental health and assistance to families in finding needed services. Visit their web site or call their toll-free number 1-800-789-CMHS (2647) for materials and further assistance on mental health.

 

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