Recognising mental health concerns

As a parent, you might sometime worry about your child’s mental health. As your child grows, they express their thoughts and feelings in various ways- sometimes not in the ways you’d expect.

Some of these behaviours are a completely normal part of development. They are often motivated by a combination of the following needs:

  • biological
  • psychological
  • social.

Recognising the signs that your child may need support will help give you confidence and allow them to feel heard and supported in a safe space.

Children and young adults often find it hard to express their feeling. This can be due to:

  • feeling helplessness or unsure about what’s wrong
  • thinking no one will understand or listen
  • fear of judgement or stigma
  • being scared of the consequences
  • thinking they won’t be taken seriously.

These feelings may be stronger in children who are neurodivergent, have learning difficulties, live in out of home care, identify as LGBTQ+ or have gone through significant life changes.

Childhood development is a period of rapid change. It can be hard to tell what is part of normal growth and what might be a sign of mental health concerns. The more you understand your child, the easier it will be to spot if something is wrong.

Common signs of mental health concerns

  • trouble sleeping or always tired
  • feeling sad or having low mood for more than 2 weeks
  • sudden mood swings or changes in behaviour
  • irritability
  • gaining or losing weight suddenly
  • loss of appetite or change in eating habits
  • falling behind in school
  • behaving in a way they have outgrown, like bed wetting or sucking their thumb
  • avoiding social situations, friends or family
  • self-harm or suicidal thoughts

These signs can look different in every child and may only be small, subtle changes.

Talking to your child about their concerns can be the easiest way to understand what they are going through and offer support.

When to seek help

Try not to diagnose your child yourself. If you are concerned, it is best to seek the help of a healthcare professional, like your family doctor. They have the resources, skills and referral pathways to help identify and manage conditions.

As children grow, their behaviour becomes more complex and their needs change. They are learning how to express themselves and manage their feelings. Supporting them in this process can help build healthy lifelong habits.