What is driving the mental health crisis in children? And what to do if you suspect your child is struggling.

With apologies to The Who, the kids are not alright. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among children and teens are rising at an alarming rate. Some point to the pandemic as the cause, but a closer look at the statistics reveals that the decade prior to 2020 – and the beginning of the pandemic – children’s mental health had already begun the slippery slide down with emergency room visits up.

According to the Children’s Health Council, a group of medical experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Children’s Hospital Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, has declared that the mental health crisis in children has become a national emergency. Research backs this up. According to a poll by the Pew research Center on CNN, 40% of parents said that they are extremely or very concerned about their child’s mental health.

To further emphasize the shocking increase, the National Institutes of Health reports that pre-pandemic research in 2015 reveals anxiety disorders in children and adolescents was 6.5% and depressive disorders was 2.6%. Post pandemic anxiety disorders have skyrocketed to 25.2% and depressive disorders shot to 20.5% in children and adolescents.

Further, 42% of high school students in 2021 reported feeling so sad or hopeless for two consecutive weeks that they stopped engaging in their usual activities, which is up from 26% in 2009.

What is causing this mental health crisis?

So what is driving this horrifying and scary national emergency? There is no one single determining factor. According to the American Psychological Association, social isolation, academic disruption, loss of a caregiver, and parent loss of a job are some of the more identifiable causes. Of course these are associated with the pandemic. In addition to those contributors, use of social media, threat of mass violence, natural disasters, climate change, and political polarization are all to blame, too. And for horrible measure, throw in cyberbullying, a focus on body image, and overwhelmed parents.

And if this lousy laundry list isn’t enough, the University of Michigan reports there is a lack of mental health providers. More than half of all U.S. counties lack a practicing psychiatrist. And even if you are lucky enough to live in an area that has mental health professionals, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is reporting there is an average wait of six weeks for behavioral health services.

Checking on your child’s mental health

Of course you the parent know your child best. When children have good mental health they  can quite simply think clearly. They are capable of learning new things – hello school – and carry themselves with a sense of self-confidence. Additionally, they can mange those pesky and difficult emotions such as anger, frustration, and sadness. Finally, they have been taught effective coping skills so that they do not turn to ineffective behaviors such as substance abuse.

Younger children may not have the words to match what they are feeling, so it is important as a parent or caregiver to ask gentle questions. Seattle Children’s Hospital suggests listening more than talking and trying your best to hear what your child may be truly saying. Help younger kids name emotions and feelings. Doing this can reduce their power and impact. Finally, brainstorm coping strategies to help deal with emotions. Model yours! For example, when daddy gets upset he goes out for a walk and thinks about possible solutions to the situation.

Signs of mental health concern

Mental health is tricky and as a parent you need to decide if your child is just having a bad day or if there is something more possibly going on. According to the Mayo Clinic, these are some signs to watch for:

• Sadness, worry, or fear that lasts more than two weeks

• Withdrawing from or avoiding social situations

• Outbursts or extreme irritability

• Changes in eating habits

• Weight change 

• Difficulty sleeping

• Changes in academic performance

Of course this is not a complete or thorough list. If you suspect your child is struggling with their mental health, here are some ways to help.

Strategies to help with your child’s mental health

If your child is in crisis, please get them to a doctor or hospital immediately. However, if your child shows one or more of the signs above, here are some ways to help from Very Well Family:

• Show unconditional love

This may seem like common sense, but if your child is struggling or acting out it can be challenging, so double down and love them even more. Hugs and kind words are like a salve for your child’s heart.

• Praise their character

Often times parents go too far and comment and praise every little thing a child does, especially younger kids. Focus your praise on effort and persistence, not the results.

• Spend time together

Again, this may seem like you do this already, but if your teen is in a nasty, irritable mood it can be difficult to seek them out and enjoy a family outing. Find something your family enjoys and do it.

• Communicate regularly

Communication can take many forms, from the obligatory how was your day to something more specific such as tell me the best part of your day. Try to get a conversation going.

• Joyful movement – or exercise they enjoy

There is so much research to back up that movement is good for mental health. Encourage your child to move in a way they enjoy such as swimming or riding a bicycle. Get those endorphins popping!

• Add daily practices 

Daily practices such as keeping a gratitude journal, eating healthy meals, and getting the proper sleep are all powerful tools to help promote good mental health.

• Build agency 

Prop your child up and share with them how they have handled a negative situation before. Building agency – or that mindset that they do control their outcomes – is so important. With agency your child can be proactive and deal with their concerns.

Final thoughts

The research is clear, and medical professionals are sounding the alarm and have declared a national health emergency. Take a peek at any national publications and you are bound to see a headline with children and mental health crisis in it. Though mental health can be a pejorative term, it is critical that as parents you check in on your child’s well-being. One out of every four of you who read this may have a child in need of help. Know the signs of possible distress and some strategies to help and support your child if you suspect they are struggling.

Engage the Brain supports our students’ mental health by providing academic interventions including Orton-Gillingham instruction for dyslexia, Executive Functioning coaching, and multi-sensory math instruction and, equally importantly, by establishing a relationship built on care and trust with each student we see.