Understanding The Warning Signs Of Poor Mental Health In Children And How To Help

What are the most common mental health issues in children?

Though difficult to diagnose, it is estimated that up to 1 in 5 children suffer from a mental health condition. There are five different major categories of mental health disorders, and each one has different symptoms which is why it’s important to understand how they can affect children. The most common childhood mental health issues include depression, anxiety, ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). Depression is the single most common mental health disorder in children and adolescents. It’s estimated that roughly 1 out of every 6 children and teens struggle with depression, with girls being twice as likely to struggle with the condition than boys.

If your child is exhibiting symptoms, they If your child is exhibiting symptoms, they will likely display one of these warning signs:

Abnormally low mood

Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed

Significantly more irritable than usual

Loss of appetite or overeating

Greater difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

Crying for no apparent reason

Low self-esteem, or feelings of worthlessness or guilt

Frequent complaints about physical symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, and stomach aches

Avoidance of friends, family members , or activities they typically enjoy

Thoughts of suicide, death, or hopelessness

It is important to note that depression can look different in teens than it does in younger kids.

How can these mental health issues be treated?

It’s important to know that issues of mental health in children are treatable. There are many different types of interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, and art therapy. As the child gets older, other treatments may become more appropriate such as medication. Mental health issues in children are common and treatable. It’s easy to be overwhelmed, but with the right information, you can start the right path to help your child.

How can we prevent mental health issues children?

The best way to prevent mental health problems in children is by parenting better. When parents are reliable and empathetic, their children will feel less anxious and stressed. In addition, being around nice people will also help children develop good social skills and self-esteem. In order to help your child develop good mental health, you need to be a good role model. Your positive attitude and an optimistic outlook are what they need to develop mental strength.

How can we maintain good mental health in children?.

In order to maintain good mental health, you have to do a few things. First, you have to be calm with your children. Meditation is a great way for you to relax and strengthen your mind. It will help you be calmer and more positive. In addition, talking to your child about their worries will also help them develop better mental health. Even simple conversations can help them feel better and stronger. Discussing your worries with them will give them a good example of how to handle stress.

How can parents help?

Parents should be aware of the potential mental health issues their children may be dealing with. If you suspect your child has a mental health issue, talk to them about it. Find out what they’re dealing with and help them work through it. If you do need to get them professional help, be supportive. It will not go away on its own and the sooner they get help, the better.

Conclusion

The five most common mental health issues seen in childhood are depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, and OCD. All children experience these emotions at different intensities. It is important to help your child to understand that it’s not their fault and to provide them with the tools they’ll need for coping. If you or your child is experiencing any of these problems, please call a therapist.

Highlights

Transgender child are subjected to enormous shame and humiliation for simply owing up their true Gender identity

Such humiliation is mostly enabled due to lack of parental support.

Support of parents making the process of coming out easy and the process transitioning thereafter.

Parents need to step up and educate themselves thoroughly about the whole gender spectrum to provide true and strong support their child.

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The journey of self-accept has always been a hard one for trans persons lesser due to their personal biases but more due to archaic societal norms that pushed them towards the periphery every time they decided to come out to the world.

Most of us have wandered through the chronicles of Arab lands through the book of acclaimed novelist Khalid Hosenni. This time the writer is in news not for a new book launch but for celebrating his transgender daughter Haris coming out to the world.

Hosseini took to his Twitter to share the news on the web. The kite runner author shared

“My twenty-one-year-old daughter Haris came out to the world as transgender. I have known about Haris’ journey since last year and I’ve watched her navigate some very trying personal times. Transitioning is such a complicated undertaking – emotionally, physically, socially, and psychologically -but Haris has met each challenge with grace, patience, and wisdom.

As a father, I have never been prouder of her. I am delighted to now have not one but two beautiful daughters. Most of all, I am inspired by Haris’ fearlessness, and her courage to share with the world her true self. She has taught me and our family so much about bravery about truth.I know this process was painful for her, fraught with grief and anxiety. She is sober of the cruelty trans people are subjected to. But she is strong and undaunted…”

It is indeed the most heartening thing to see a parent celebrating their child coming out story and supporting their transitioning journey with love, support, and empathy. But Is it the same story for all the lgbtqia+ individuals? The answer to that is No. It is a rough trail for many of them full of rejection, humiliation, mental torture, and whatnot. The most difficult part is the lack of support from one’s own parents who isolate their child for fear of being humiliated. The process of disowning the denying the agency to lgbtqia+ individuals ranges from confiscating their mobile phones, passport, and other personal stuff to depriving them of any external contact, mental abuse, verbal abuse, and even physical torture at times.

But the question is Should the individuals be subjected to such harsh cruelty to simply own up and accept their real selves in front of the world?

The important factor in the journey of a trans person transitioning is strong parental support. Let’s look at the impacts of parental support in the transitioning journey

Transgender people are over four times more likely than cisgender people to experience violent victimization including rape, sexual assault, and aggravated or simple assault –
Study by Wiliams Institute Of UCLA School of Law

1. Boosts self-confidence: Post realizing one’s gender identity the difficult part is to break it to your parents. In some cases coming out to parents is smooth as they easily accept the change, however, in other cases, it is not a cakewalk. Thus, parental support plays a huge role in simplifying the journey of transitioning.

2. Positive Self-Image: Support from parents enable the individuals to take the change positively and inhibit a positive self-image as well.

3. Financial Security: Quite a few individuals opt for physical surgery. Physical surgery incurs a hefty financial amount. Many trans persons fail to arrange for finances due to a lack of resources. Thus, the Support of parents lessens the worry of arranging finances to some extent.

It is indeed important for guardians and parents to stand along firmly with their children and celebrate their gender identity to save them from the unduly wrath of various factors. However, some parents are unaware of how to support their children.

Here are a few ways to extend support with empathy to your child and accept their gender identity.

1. Listen and follow their lead: When it comes up to you to talk about their gender identity. Make sure you listen to them with patience. Instead of pouncing on them with all the questions and rationalities of the matter Give them the space to talk out everything.

2. Keep a check: Being a kid is tough sometimes but being a transgender kid is even tougher. Keep a check on how your kid is being treated at school by fellow mates and other friends circles. Many times such kids are susceptible to mental and physical torture.

3. Educate Yourself: Try to educate yourself thoroughly on the subject matter of the complete gender spectrum. You may be confused between gender identity and sexual orientation. Thus try to educate yourself to dispel all the doubts and confusion. This will also enable you to understand your child better.

4. Practice: There will be a shift in how you address your child post learning about their gender identity. You might make mistakes in the beginning but it is okay until you apologize and learn to use correct pronounces thereafter. They will likely cut you some slack and thank you for it.

Click to read about India First Transwoman who became a mother