Children's Mental Health

Annika Miller Lampropoulos 

Research Sourced by Rachel Gasson

In past years, the stigma surrounding mental health has been challenged. It is being discussed more openly in the media, in schools, and within families. Receiving the proper treatment for a mental illness is exponentially more accessible now than it was even 10-15 years ago. 

May is mental health awareness month. Last week, the focus was specifically on children’s mental health. 

Growing up, mental health topics were taboo in my family. I had never even considered that my personal struggles could be linked to a legitimate mental illness. Despite multiple educators recommending that I do so, meeting with a therapist or counselor was never something I considered an option. 

It wasn’t until I had been diagnosed by a psychiatrist with obsessive compulsive disorder at the age of 20 that I even knew OCD ran in my family. Mental illness is often genetic in nature, although genetics can only be held partly responsible. 

The CDC reports that over 75% of lifetime cases of mental health conditions begin by the age of 24. If mental health is a restricted topic in the home, individuals who struggle with any form of mental illness are going to be left even more vulnerable during an already fast-paced and often stressful time of life. 

The primary responsibility of a parent is to protect their child from danger. Protecting a child from danger also includes educating them in such a way that they can protect themselves when their parent is not there. 

Mental health is a very serious and sensitive topic. It is understandable to want to avoid scaring a child by discussing all of the potential complications and symptoms of different forms of mental illness. However, it is important to educate them in a way that allows them to better handle future situations either personally or with others. 

I love the CDC’s opening statement about children’s mental health. It states: 

“Mental health in childhood means reaching developmental and emotional milestones, and learning healthy social skills and how to cope when there are problems.”

How simple is that? No one would argue that it is inappropriate to discuss with your child their milestones and how to cope with problems. That is what mental health is about. Mental illnesses simply restrict individuals from being able to properly cope with different issues.

When discussing mental health with your child, there is no need to cast a negative light on the subject. Make it about them and their accomplishments, how they have handled different social and emotional dilemmas, and areas of future improvement. 

If you feel your child may be struggling with a mental illness, it is appropriate to consult a medical professional rather than attempting to “self-diagnose”. Emphasize that the potential need for therapy, counseling, or even medication are simply tools. 

By helping a child to receive necessary education and treatment for their mental health, you are giving them the opportunity to thrive despite any hardships that may come their way. 

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If you are local to the Rexburg, Idaho area, call us at the Rexburg Free Clinic at (208) 716-8723 to make an appointment. For more urgent situations, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255. 

Mental Health in Children-CDC REPORTS:

• Common mental disorders to look for in young children: ADHD, anxiety, behavioral disorders, depression

• 9.4% of children aged 2-17 years (approximately 6.1 million) have received an ADHD diagnosis.

• 7.4% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 4.5 million) have a diagnosed behavior problem.

• 7.1% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 4.4 million) have diagnosed anxiety.

• 3.2% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 1.9 million) have diagnosed depression.

• These conditions commonly occur together.