If your child or grandchild has an emotional or behavioral problem or other mental illness, it's important to remember that you are not alone. Twenty percent of America’s young people under the age of 18 suffer from mental illnesses, and between 6.4 and 9 million children have serious emotional problems. Yet, many of these children do not receive treatment. The fact that you have arrived at this web page demonstrates that you are searching out ways to help your child have a better life.
Mental problems have always been with us. Such problems are not solely attributable to our fast-paced society; rather, they impact all levels of society, all cultures, all economic and religious groups, all nationalities and races and ethnicities. Mental illness impacts families, friends, employers, schools, and our health and judicial systems. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) researchers have found that, unlike most disabling physical diseases, mental illness usually begins early in life. Half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age fourteen, and three-quarters begin by age twenty-four.
There is hope, however, and you must continue to seek help and information and not be put off by detours or roadblocks. You're looking to save your child's life, and you must know in your heart that help is available somewhere. Mental illness in childhood and adolescence is highly treatable, and by advocating for early identification and appropriate intervention, parents can ensure that their child gets the help they need.
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Adolescent behavior: What signs you should be concerned about?
Parents often ask that question, wondering whether or not they may be overreacting about their child's behaviior, but at the same time, not wanting to miss something that may be pointing to a serious problem.
While there is no tidy checklist of signs to determine whether or not your teen has a mental health issue, here are 10 signs that should be evaluated by a professional.
• Thinking or talking about suicide
• Threats of self-harm or harm to others
• Expressions of worthlessness or guilt
• Prolonged sadness or depression or apathy
• Marked changes in eating or sleeping patterns; excessive sleeping or sleeping too little; lethargy
• Little interest in activities once enjoyed
• Extreme highs and lows
• Abuse of alcohol and/or drugs
• Excessive anger, hostility, or violent behavior
• Abuse of animals
A teenager who displays one or more of these warning signs should be seen and evaluated by a psychiatrist or other mental health professional as quickly as possible.
More signs to look for that might point to a possible mental health problem, as well as suggestions on how to find a therapist and specific questions to ask your child's therapist and other caregivers, can be found in The Forgotten Future: Adolescents in Crisis.
A portion of the author's earnings from all retail sales of The Forgotten Future will be donated to the National Children's Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
This page was last updated: 03/30/2008
