Child mental health has been an issue of debate for many years. That is because when we typically think of mental health and mental health issues, we often just associate it with adults. Research, however, has shown that worldwide, 10 – 20 % of children and adolescents experience mental health conditions.
Child mental health can be defined as the complete well-being and optimal development of
a child in the social, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral domains. Childhood and
adolescence are critical stages of development. During these periods, children grapple with
unique and distinct developmental milestones.
Good mental health enables children to navigate these developmental milestones healthily as well as to develop the resilience to cope with life stressors and grow into healthy functioning adults.
Mental health challenges in children are usually a direct response of what is happening in
their lives. Failure to address mental health challenges in children and adolescents may have
long-term consequences that extend into their adulthood and limit their opportunities for
leading fulfilling lives and reaching their full potential.
Key Areas of functioning and risk factors
As children grow, they develop in various ways. The key areas of functioning and
development include emotional, social, cognitive as well as physical domains. How children
behave, think, form relationships and acquire physical skills paint a picture of their
development. While every child achieves develops at their own pace, there a general skills
they should acquire at specific ages, which are known as developmental milestones.
How children successfully reach their developmental milestones in each stage of their
development depends significantly on their environment. The quality of the environment in
which children are nurtured shapes their well-being and development. Early negative
experiences (family, schools, violence, social media, poverty, etc.) and the unsuccessful
resolution of such experiences increase the risk of mental illness. Genetics also pose a risk to
the development of a mental illness, however the exposure to a parent of caregiver’s
mental illness can also increase the risk of mental illness.
Bad experiences alone don’t necessarily lead to mental health problems in children,
however traumatic events can trigger problems in already vulnerable children. Therefore,
non-supportive and uncontaining environments may lead to the development of unhealthy
coping skills and ultimately mental illness. Alternatively, consistent supportive interactions
may facilitate the development of healthy coping skills as well as greater prospects for
healthy mental health.
Mental Disorders
The mental health issues children may experience may be reflected as difficulties in their
key areas of functioning. When these issues are constant, are severe, and cause
disturbances to normal functioning (at home, school and social situations) , they are defined
as mental health disorders.
The most common mental disorders found in children include:
ADHD
Anxiety disorders
Depressive disorders
Autism spectrum disorders
Adjustment disorders
Substance-related disorders
Feeding and eating disorders
Elimination disorders
What to look out for in your child:
Drastic changes in your child’s mood, behaviour or personality.
Persistent sadness and withdrawing/avoiding social interactions
Extreme irritability which leads to outbursts.
Talking about death/suicide.
Self-harm.
Risky behaviours that could result in harm.
Changes in eating habits (unhealthy).
Academic decline and negative behavioural changes at school.
Difficulties in concentrating and completing tasks.
What to do if you think your child has mental health problems:
If you have reasons for concern, talk to your child’s teacher and other caregivers to see if
they have noticed any changes in your child’s mood or behaviour. Seek professional help,
such as your doctor (to eliminate medical problems) or seek the help of a psychologist for
interventions that can promote your child’s well-being prevent the escalation of problems.
Lerato Raboshakga
Clinical Psychologist
Psych Central Menlyn
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