Back to School Tips for Mental Health
When your child has a fever, it’s easy to know they need help. Whether it’s treating the fever with Tylenol or taking them to the doctor, treating something that is apparent is easy. But how do you know when your child is dealing with mental health issues.
Much like physical health, mental health needs to be treated in the same way. Mental health needs to be given the same thought and attention you would a physical ailment. It’s also important to know when to seek the help of professionals like those at Alta Behavioral Health.
Half of all mental health disorders begin by age 14 and 75% begin by age 24. Early identification and intervention are key to keeping a child’s mental wellbeing, currently and in the future. With school starting all over the country, so is school related stress. But how do you know if their stress is something that will ease as they get back into their school schedule or something that is going to intensify as the year progresses? A little bit if attention goes a long way.
Naturally, you know your child and you know what’s “normal”. If your child shows any of the following symptoms for more than a few weeks it might be time to talk to them about mental health:
*Problems with focusing, memory or thinking
*Loss of appetite or overeating
*Changes in sleep patterns
*Feelings of sadness, emptiness or hopelessness
*Not being able to do school work
*Loss of interest in things they used to like doing
Sometimes these symptoms can be treated at home. Talking to your child on a regular basis and setting that precedent may help them learn to deal with these issues on their own. When you listen to them attentively, thoughtfully and non-judgmentally your child will learn that it’s perfectly natural to have these feelings. In fact, having an outlet to talk to someone can lead to a more resilient child.
Sometimes these Much like physical conditions, you have to know the signs of when it’s time to seek professional help immediately. If your child is experiencing any of the following call Altal immediately at 330-793-2487:
*Having thoughts of or plans to kill or hurt themselves or others
*Having sudden personality changes
*Being overly suspicious or fearful
*Hearing voices of seeing things that no one else is
*Sudden and drastic decline in schoolwork
Mental health issues are more common than you think. Being able to identify them and receive the help you need right away is essential. For almost 50 years, Alta has been serving the behavioral health needs of children and their families of the Valley. If you think your child is experiencing mental health issues, call today at 330-793-2487.