If you are unsure about what may be triggering mental health issues in children and teens, you’re not alone.
This guide will go over the possible factors. It’s important to keep tabs on a child or teen’s mental health.
Especially if they had gone through some traumatic or upsetting events in their life.
If you need more information on how you can get your child or teen the help they need, get it via the BasePoint Academy website.
Let’s begin by taking a look at the potential triggers that can lead to mental health issues in a child or teen.
Death of a loved one
The death of a loved one, especially one close to them, can lead to issues such as depression. They may feel like they are feeling alone or unloved.
Most young children may not be able to understand the concept of death until they’re older.
Teens on the other hand will have an understanding of it. Either way, the loss of a loved one can happen. Even if it happens unexpectedly.
Death is an inevitable event in life. That’s something we must come to terms with. The aftermath can affect a family mentally including children and teens.
Depression is often a mental issue that can stem from such loss. To that end, it may be important to make sure your child or teen has someone to talk to if they are feeling sad about the event in particular.
Traumatic events
Traumatic events can happen at home or school. For example, a child or teen may be entangled in a domestic violence situation. Or they may be abused themselves.
If you or members of your family are victims of domestic violence, you need to get out of the current situation as soon as possible.
Your child may suffer from mental health issues that may stem from the environment that they are in.
Traumatic events at school could pertain to someone getting seriously injured or even school shootings that result in injury or death.
They may be depressed or suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Long after the event, they may experience flashbacks even the most trivial events that may occur.
Family issues at home
As mentioned in the previous point, family issues including domestic violence can be one of the reasons why mental health issues can happen in children and teenagers.
Other issues at home can pertain to substance abuse, fights between parents and other family members, financial issues, and other events.
The living environment may not be suitable for anyone whether they have a mental issue or not.
The hardships and stress of these family issues can take a toll on anyone mentally, including children and teens. As a parent, it is your responsibility to provide a positive living environment for your children.
This could mean that you and your children may need to relocate, assuming the issues are severe enough. Otherwise, you need to come up with solutions to ensure that you provide the best home environment for your children.
If substances are involved, make sure that member of your family gets the help they need. If it’s you or your spouse, the same advice applies.
If abuse or neglect is ongoing, you’ll want to do whatever it takes to make sure it never happens again. In these instances, online teen therapy can be a valuable resource for support and recovery.
This may include you and your children finding safe shelter from the abuser. Don’t take any chances lightly in situations like this.
Troubles at school
This can include poor academic performance, social rejection, and bullying. These difficulties can last a long period if nothing is done about them.
If your child or teen is dealing with poor academic performance, they must get extra help.
This can include tutoring in subjects that they are struggling in. Social rejection and bullying can cause a lot of stress on a teen or child. They may feel worthless, sad, and even irritable.
In some cases, violence may also be a sign of behavioral and mental trouble. If your child or teen is being bullied or socially rejected, talk to them about it and lend an ear.
It’s also a good idea to speak with school officials about bullying.
Mental health issues among family members
Most mental health issues can be genetic. It can be passed down from one generation to the next. If a child or teen lives at home with a family member that has a mental disorder, this can also be distressing for them.
Plus, they may have an increased chance of being diagnosed with the same disorder as their parents or relatives.
You must make sure that your child or teen gets the help they need if they show any symptoms of a mental disorder.
If untreated, it can lead to severe consequences including substance abuse and suicide. Mental disorders can be manageable.
It takes the right diagnosis and cares to ensure that your child or teen lives a healthy fulfilling life while managing it.
An evaluation through a mental health professional (such as a child or teen specialist) will be the first step.
They will have a detailed treatment plan laid out including therapy and medication. When they are older, your child will be able to manage their mental health disorder on their own and make changes to their treatment if necessary.
Final Thoughts
Mental health issues in children and teens can be triggered by these five major examples above. You must talk to your children and teens regularly.
It can be about what’s going on at school, their interests, and others.
If you notice anything out of the ordinary such as behavioral issues, they may be signs of a potential mental disorder.
The sooner you can spot them, the better you can plan an evaluation to see what specific issue they are dealing with.
No child or teen has to deal with mental issues. Make sure they get the treatment they need so they can be able to manage it with and without your assistance.
Sandra is a health blogger based in San Diego, California. She is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle. She loves being outdoors and exploring new places with her husband. She is a mom of two awesome kids and a dog named Luna!