Signs Your Child May Be Struggling With Mental Health Issues

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns in Young ChildrenSigns in TeenagersHow to Help Your Child

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Signs in Young Children

Signs in Teenagers

How to Help Your Child

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Identifyingmental health issues in childrencan be tricky. It can be difficult to determine whether your child’s behaviors are normal or signs of a mental health condition.

However, it’s important to identify and treat mental health issues in children because they canaffectthe child’s behavior, ability to learn, and emotional development, to the point where the child may have difficulty getting through the day.

This article lists some signs of mental health issues in young children and teenagers, as well as some steps you can take if you suspect your child has a mental health condition.

Signs Your Child May Be Struggling With Mental Health Issues

Signs of Mental Health Issues in Young Children

Infants, toddlers, and young children may not be able to communicate what they’re experiencing, but you may notice changes or abnormalities in their behavior or development.

These are some signs of mental health issues in infants, toddlers and young children:

Signs of Mental Health Issues in Teenagers

Adolescents and teenagers may react differently to mental health conditions. For instance, people may assume that a teenager who’sacting outis going through a typical teenage phase that they’ll eventually grow out of; however, they may in fact be struggling with a mental health condition.

These are some of the signs of mental health conditions in adolescents andteenagers:

If you or a loved one are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Teenage Depression: Signs, Causes, and How to Help

These are some steps you can take, if you suspect your child is struggling with a mental health condition.

Reach Out to Your Child

If your child is an adolescent or a teenager,talk to themand ask them how they’re feeling. If they’re acting out, put your anger or frustration with them aside and try toconnect with them. Let them know that you’re there for them, in case they want to talk or need your support.

If your child is not open to talking, it can be helpful to connect with them in other ways, such asdoing an activitywith them. For instance, if you and your child enjoy fishing, painting, or baking together, that could be a way to bond with them, relieve stress, and help them express what they’re feeling.

Take Your Child to a Healthcare Provider

Take your child to a healthcare provider such as their pediatrician, family doctor, primary healthcare provider, or therapist. They can help screen your child for mental health conditions or refer you to a specialist who can. They can also help screen your child forsuicide risk.

The healthcare provider will ask questions about your child’s medical and family history, speak to your child, and perform tests or exams if required. It may be helpful to give your child some one-on-one time with the healthcare provider.

If your child is diagnosed with a mental health condition, it’s important to get them the treatment they need. This could includetherapy, lifestyle changes, social support, education, and in some cases, medication.

Mental Health Days Help Kids, But Systemic Barriers Prevent Widespread Use

A Word From Verywell

The prospect of your child having a mental health condition can be scary and heartbreaking. However, it’s important to get them help as soon as possible. Remember, your child is not alone. Approximately 17% of children have a mental health condition—that’s one in six children.

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4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Schulte-Körne G.Mental health problems in a school setting in children and adolescents.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2016;113(11):183-190. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0183Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Children’s Mental Disorders.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.Whitney DG, Peterson MD.US National and state-level prevalence of mental health disorders and disparities of mental health care use in children.JAMA Pediatr.2019;173(4):389–391. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.5399

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Schulte-Körne G.Mental health problems in a school setting in children and adolescents.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2016;113(11):183-190. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0183Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Children’s Mental Disorders.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.Whitney DG, Peterson MD.US National and state-level prevalence of mental health disorders and disparities of mental health care use in children.JAMA Pediatr.2019;173(4):389–391. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.5399

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Schulte-Körne G.Mental health problems in a school setting in children and adolescents.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2016;113(11):183-190. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0183Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Children’s Mental Disorders.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.Whitney DG, Peterson MD.US National and state-level prevalence of mental health disorders and disparities of mental health care use in children.JAMA Pediatr.2019;173(4):389–391. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.5399

Schulte-Körne G.Mental health problems in a school setting in children and adolescents.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2016;113(11):183-190. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0183

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Children’s Mental Disorders.

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Whitney DG, Peterson MD.US National and state-level prevalence of mental health disorders and disparities of mental health care use in children.JAMA Pediatr.2019;173(4):389–391. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.5399

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