Child Mental Health Issues: Know the Causes & Tips to Overcome

Only a child sees things with perfect clarity because it hasn’t developed all those which prevents us from seeing things that we don’t expect to see “–Douglas Adams

Children are like molding clay. As they grow up, they need a foundation that has to be strong. From the second children are born into this world, they start developing a sense of self-composure for themselves. It then starts giving to the world out, i.e. it begins to bestow trust upon its parents, which forms a base for the whole future development. Thus, being a parent, it’s necessary to support a child for better social, emotional and behavioral health. Young children who start developing strong bonds at an early stage with their parents and family learn to co-operate, care, pay attention and get along with people in their surroundings.

Well, most mental health issues surface at an early age with identifiable threats. In newborns and toddlers, the initial years of their life have a high risk of attracting such severe state. Thus, kids and youngsters with mental health issues tend to have lower educational achievements. According to a British survey, it states that juveniles with mental health issues have more involvement in unjust criminal affairs. But sadly, most children with mental health issues (60-80%), don’t get the support they need and that is how it makes a difference. A significant aspect for aiding a child’s mental health is safeguarding culturally competent services that include in families. There isn’t any particular cause of any mental health issue that is applicable as the reason for any child’s psychological problems is not related to one source, rather too many since as we all know it is due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Download the children and teen infographic from National Alliance on mental Illness

There are, on the other hand, some causes that have been portrayed to have an impact on a child’s social, emotional and behavioral health:

1. Poverty

Children from low-income get confronted with an increased risk of social, emotional and behavioral health issues. According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, it states that 57% of children and youth (aging between 7 to18) hailing from minimum income families or below poverty line background have mental health issues. It is not of course directly the lack of money that centers on this issue but the other problems associated with it like, parental stress, carelessness, inadequate knowledge, domestic violence which adds into cause the mental distress in a child.

2. Stress

Undergoing physical and mental stress can have a significant impact on a child. When a child suffers from an injury, sees others suffer due to violence, gets sexually abused, witnesses the loss of a loved one or faces any tragic event, etc. Considering such possibilities  causes a child to suffer from social, emotional and behavioral health issues.

3. Insufficient Treatment

Many researchers have found that children who are receiving proper treatment for their mental health issues, are more successful and have a better life than the ones who receive improper treatment. Well, in most cases it has been found that kids who require such treatment don’t get it.

Parents play in a very vital role in the overall development of a child. Being a parent, you should learn to help your child in expressing their feelings by instructing, modeling and guiding them in the course of applying the skills to aid in emotional, mental and behavioral management.

Thus, some steps can be taken by parents to nurture their children and help them grow up to be a better person by providing stability socially, emotionally and from a behavioral aspect of their life:

1.  Being a Good Listener:

Being a good listener helps in a lot to balance a child’s mind. He or she becomes free enough to let you know what bothers him or her. Pay attention to every bit of what they want to convey before speaking anything from your side. Be a friend, a guide and be supportive enough for your child to share everything with you. Make sure to speak soft words that encourage and motivates your child.

2. Model your own Behavior:

May it be apologizing when any of you is wrong or if your child is at fault, there are certain behavioral aspects that you should always have in my mind because that is from where the child learns. Like respecting elders, language, etc. You should think about the consequence of your actions and how they may affect your child.

3. Respect the Differences:

Every child takes time to find the way through unique talents and abilities. Everyone isn’t the same, as we say “the five fingers aren’t equal.” Whether in academics, sports, relations, keep away from comparing them to other kids and instead honor their achievements, boost their enthusiasm, and support them.

4. Build up Self-Esteem in them:

A child with a good sense of self, tends to be happier, well-adjusted and does better in other aspects of life. Allow them to make life decisions that are appropriate for their age and appreciate them for the little work they do.

Mental health issues in children and adolescents is a nationwide problem. Like any other health problem, even they require a proper health approach to eliminate it from its roots. The foundation of an emotional, mental and behavioral well-being is the capability to understand and express. Teaching good values, strengthening and nurturing emotional and behavioral intelligence is the keynote that should wisely be taken care of, to grow and enhance self-awareness, emotional, mental and behavioral management in them.