Camille Agu, NCC
Quality & Improvement Coordinator
Canopy Children's Solutions
In your professional opinion, how important is it to keep abreast of your child/children's mental health?
A child's mental health is just as important as their physical health. Just as one would make sure a child is reaching physical milestones at the appropriate age, parents should be aware that there are also developmental, behavioral and emotional milestones children should be reaching.
What are some signs that a child may have some mental health issues?
Mental health issues look different in children than in adults. Sharp changes in behaviors are telltale signs. Children may not necessarily have the vocabulary to put words to their feelings and are likely to have behavioral issues or act out. Changes in sleep patterns (not sleeping or sleeping too much), enuresis (bed wetting), especially if they are beyond the age where it's appropriate, changes in academic performance, or avoiding places like school are just a few examples. Being mindful of how stressors affect children is also good. Divorce, death in the family, moving or any significant change can be stressful for an adult - these are stressors for children too.
What should you do if you see these signs?
A good place to start is speaking with the child's pediatrician or family doctor. They can refer parents to a mental health professional that specializes in working with children. Most schools have counselors who can also be a good resource for parents.
Can mental illness be prevented in children? Why or Why not?
There are some mental health issues that carry environmental factors - changes in the home or life. Equipping a child with healthy coping skills are key as some stressors cannot be avoided. Then there are mental health illnesses that are a result of chemical imbalances. Changes in dopamine levels, for example, can affect moods leading to depression on one hand or impulsiveness on the other. Medication may be required to regulate those changes.
Professionally, what would you suggest parents do during this COVID-19 period with children who are dealing with mental health?
There are a lot of different mental health issues that are probably exacerbated with what is going on in the world right now. At the very least, parents can create or maintain a routine. Knowing what to expect from one day to the next can help reduce some anxiety kids may be experiencing during this time. Being physically active - going for a walk, riding a bike, playing outside in the yard - are also good ways of lessening the stress kids may be experiencing.
Please share a few tips or points that you think are most important when talking about children’s mental health.
For parents or caretakers, advocate for the children in your life. Listen to what they are saying (or what they may not be saying). Be open to getting them help when they need it. Mental health carries a negative stigma but remember that there is no shame in seeking help with mental health issues. If a child had leukemia, no one would be to blame and getting treatment is normal. Likewise, no one is to blame when a child suffers from mental health issues. Let us all work towards normalizing it by seeking treatment when it is needed.
Casandra Poullard, LMFT
Lead Clinical Therapist
Canopy Children's Solutions
I feel it is extremely important for parents to keep abreast of their child's mental health due to so many changes occurring daily. In most cases, mental illness is not as obvious as physical illness which allows it to be missed. In my opinion, having healthy mental health allows children the opportunity to grow emotionally, socially and have more rational thinking about life in general.
Signs of mental illness are usually a decline in leisure/fun, school performance, excessive worry, hyperactivity, continued nightmares, increase in anger, aggression, temper tantrums, irritability and depression/sadness. When these are observed by parents, they should seek professional help immediately.
Research states that genetics do play a role; however, there are a combination of influencing factors that may contribute to mental illness. I suggest parents talk with their children about what is going on in a way they can understand. It is important to keep a daily routine structure, yet, have fun to decrease added stress. Finally, have realistic expectations for yourself and child.