May is Mental Health Awareness Month and there is much being done to promote the importance of mental health in our communities especially due to all we have gone through as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. When we talk about mental health awareness, we must include our children as well.
The American Psychological Association has some surprising news for us: about 1 in 5 children has a diagnosable mental health disorder and “child and adolescence mental health problems are at a point of crisis for our nation”. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that mental health in childhood is “reaching developmental and emotional milestones, and learning healthy social skills and how to cope when there are problems.” The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s WIC Program also understands the importance of children’s mental health, stating that we must raise the awareness of the “significant role mental health plays in overall health and wellness and how vital positive mental health is to a child's development and everyone's well-being.”
What can parents do to help their children? The CDC website page shown below provides important information for parents. It has wide variety of articles on such topics as what works for the treatment of disruptive behavioral problems and getting the facts on anxiety and depression in children. There are even recommendations as to how to talk to your children about Covid 19.
The key is for parents to monitor their children. Be aware of their moods and activities. If parents notice anything different or concerning, they should immediately seek professional help for their child.
To learn more, please visit:
https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/index.html https://www.apa.org/advocacy/health/children