Why Is Children's Mental Health Important?
Mental health — an essential part of children's overall health — has a complex interactive relationship with their physical health and their ability to succeed in school, at work and in society. Both physical and mental health affect how we think, feel and act on the inside and outside.
For instance, an overweight young boy who is teased about his weight may withdraw socially and become depressed and may be reluctant to play with others or exercise, which further contributes to his poorer physical health and as a result poorer mental health. These issues have long-term implications on the ability of children and youth to fulfill their potential as well as consequences for the health, education, labor and criminal justice systems of our society.
All children and youth have the right to happy and healthy lives and deserve access to effective care to prevent or treat any mental health problems that they may develop. However, there is a tremendous amount of unmet need, and health disparities are particularly pronounced for children and youth living in low-income communities, ethnic minority youth or those with special needs.
How Many Children Have Mental Health Disorders?
Many more are at risk of developing a disorder due to risk factors in their biology or genetics; within their families, schools, and communities; and among their peers. There is a great need for mental health professionals to provide the best available care based on scientific evidence, good clinical expertise, and that takes into account the unique characteristics of the child or adolescent. However, it is estimated that only about 20 percent of these youth who need services receive appropriate help from mental health professionals (Dept of Health and Human Services, 2001 — Report of the Surgeon General’s Conference on Children’s Mental Health: A National Action Agenda).
Mental disorders are common among children in the United States, and can be particularly difficult for the children themselves and their caregivers. While mental disorders are widespread, the main burden of illness is concentrated among those suffering from a seriously debilitating mental illness. Just over 20 percent (or 1 in 5) children, either currently or at some point during their life, have had a seriously debilitating mental disorder.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) includes prevalence data for children ages 8 to 15. These data show that approximately 13 percent of children ages 8 to 15 had a diagnosable mental disorder within the previous year. The most common disorder among this age group is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which affects 8.5 percent of this population. This is followed by mood disorders broadly at 3.7 percent, and major depressive disorder at 2.7 percent.
What Does Psychology Have to Offer?
Research in psychology has contributed to the development of more effective treatment and prevention of mental health disorders in children, youth, and families, including programs targeting expectant mothers, children in school settings, and youth transitioning into adulthood and programs working at the following levels:
- Individual — e.g., therapy or counseling for those with mental health disorders
- Peer — e.g., peer-assisted learning programs aimed at improving reading, math, and science
- Family — e.g., parent education on the needs of children at each stage of development
- School — e.g., strategies for teachers for effective classroom management
- Community — e.g., violence prevention programs administered through community/recreational centers or churches
- Systemic — e.g., coordination of services in the health, juvenile justice, education, and child protection systems.
- Identity,
- Emotional,
- Social,
- Cognitive and
- Biological bases.
Psychologists have developed tools to assess the risk and protective factors for the mental health of children and youth, to test them for behavioral or emotional problems, and to continually monitor treatment progress.
Psychologists have also designed programs that effectively engage families, schools and communities, that is, the critical social supports that can guarantee lasting well-being for children and youth. For example, one successful family-centered program aimed at decreasing alcohol use in preteens engages parents and caregivers by training them on parenting skills such as setting limits, expressing clear expectations about substance abuse, communication and discipline while also simultaneously training youth on resistance skills and how to develop negative attitudes toward alcohol.
(http://www.apa.org/pi/families/children-mental-health.aspx; http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/any-disorder-among-children.shtml)
Supporting Children's Mental Health
Create a sense of belonging. Feeling connected and welcomed is essential to children’s positive adjustment, self-identification, and sense of trust in others and themselves. Building strong, positive relationships among students, school staff, and parents is important to promoting mental wellness.
Promote resilience. Adversity is a natural part of life and being resilient is important to overcoming challenges and good mental health. Connectedness, competency, helping others, and successfully facing difficult situations can foster resilience.
Develop competencies. Children need to know that they can overcome challenges and accomplish goals through their actions. Achieving academic success and developing individual talents and interests helps children feel competent and more able to deal with stress positively. Social competency is also important. Having friends and staying connected to friends and loved ones can enhance mental wellness.
Ensure a positive, safe school environment. Feeling safe is critical to students’ learning and mental health. Promote positive behaviors such as respect, responsibility, and kindness. Prevent negative behaviors such as bullying and harassment. Provide easily understood rules of conduct and fair discipline practices and ensure an adult presence in common areas, such as hallways, cafeterias, locker rooms, and playgrounds. Teach children to work together to stand up to a bully, encourage them to reach out to lonely or excluded peers, celebrate acts of kindness, and reinforce the availability of adult support.
Teach and reinforce positive behaviors and decision making. Provide consistent expectations and support. Teaching children social skills, problem solving, and conflict resolution supports good mental health. “Catch” them being successful. Positive feedback validates and reinforces behaviors or accomplishments that are valued by others.
Encourage helping others. Children need to know that they can make a difference. Pro-social behaviors build self-esteem, foster connectedness, reinforce personal responsibility, and present opportunities for positive recognition. Helping others and getting involved in reinforces being part of the community.
Encourage good physical health. Good physical health supports good mental health. Healthy eating habits, regular exercise and adequate sleep protect kids against the stress of tough situations. Regular exercise also decreases negative emotions such as anxiety, anger, and depression.
Educate staff, parents and students on symptoms of and help for mental health problems. Information helps break down the stigma surrounding mental health and enables adults and students recognize when to seek help. School mental health professionals can provide useful information on symptoms of problems like depression or suicide risk. These can include a change in habits, withdrawal, decreased social and academic functioning, erratic or changed behavior, and increased physical complaints.
Ensure access to school-based mental health supports. School psychologists, counselors, and social workers can provide a continuum of mental health services for students ranging from universal mental wellness promotion and behavior supports to staff and parent training, identification and assessment, early interventions, individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and referral for community services.
Provide a continuum of mental health services. School mental health services are part of a continuum of mental health care for children and youth. Build relationships with community mental health resources. Be able to provide names and numbers to parents.
Establish a crisis response team. Being prepared to respond to a crisis is important to safeguarding students’ physical and mental well-being. School crisis teams should include relevant administrators, security personnel and mental health professionals who collaborate with community resources. In addition to safety, the team provides mental health prevention, intervention, and postvention services.
(http://www.nasponline.org/resources/mentalhealth/mhtips.aspx)
Promote resilience. Adversity is a natural part of life and being resilient is important to overcoming challenges and good mental health. Connectedness, competency, helping others, and successfully facing difficult situations can foster resilience.
Develop competencies. Children need to know that they can overcome challenges and accomplish goals through their actions. Achieving academic success and developing individual talents and interests helps children feel competent and more able to deal with stress positively. Social competency is also important. Having friends and staying connected to friends and loved ones can enhance mental wellness.
Ensure a positive, safe school environment. Feeling safe is critical to students’ learning and mental health. Promote positive behaviors such as respect, responsibility, and kindness. Prevent negative behaviors such as bullying and harassment. Provide easily understood rules of conduct and fair discipline practices and ensure an adult presence in common areas, such as hallways, cafeterias, locker rooms, and playgrounds. Teach children to work together to stand up to a bully, encourage them to reach out to lonely or excluded peers, celebrate acts of kindness, and reinforce the availability of adult support.
Teach and reinforce positive behaviors and decision making. Provide consistent expectations and support. Teaching children social skills, problem solving, and conflict resolution supports good mental health. “Catch” them being successful. Positive feedback validates and reinforces behaviors or accomplishments that are valued by others.
Encourage helping others. Children need to know that they can make a difference. Pro-social behaviors build self-esteem, foster connectedness, reinforce personal responsibility, and present opportunities for positive recognition. Helping others and getting involved in reinforces being part of the community.
Encourage good physical health. Good physical health supports good mental health. Healthy eating habits, regular exercise and adequate sleep protect kids against the stress of tough situations. Regular exercise also decreases negative emotions such as anxiety, anger, and depression.
Educate staff, parents and students on symptoms of and help for mental health problems. Information helps break down the stigma surrounding mental health and enables adults and students recognize when to seek help. School mental health professionals can provide useful information on symptoms of problems like depression or suicide risk. These can include a change in habits, withdrawal, decreased social and academic functioning, erratic or changed behavior, and increased physical complaints.
Ensure access to school-based mental health supports. School psychologists, counselors, and social workers can provide a continuum of mental health services for students ranging from universal mental wellness promotion and behavior supports to staff and parent training, identification and assessment, early interventions, individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and referral for community services.
Provide a continuum of mental health services. School mental health services are part of a continuum of mental health care for children and youth. Build relationships with community mental health resources. Be able to provide names and numbers to parents.
Establish a crisis response team. Being prepared to respond to a crisis is important to safeguarding students’ physical and mental well-being. School crisis teams should include relevant administrators, security personnel and mental health professionals who collaborate with community resources. In addition to safety, the team provides mental health prevention, intervention, and postvention services.
(http://www.nasponline.org/resources/mentalhealth/mhtips.aspx)
The following are examples of mini-posters you can hang in your classroom at school or on the refrigerator at home to talk with children about their thoughts and feelings and remind them about things they can do to help themselves.
Local Mental Health Agencies
Eastpointe
Eastpointe is a managed care organization whose mission is to work together with individuals, families, providers, and communities to achieve valued outcomes in the behavioral healthcare system. They are a local resource to provide quick access to mental health resources and services. Customer Service Specialists will assist you to find a crisis provider that is well-matched with your needs.
You can ask about services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, by calling this number:
1-800-913-6109.
Eastpointe.net
Wilson County Crisis Walk-in Center:
Many counties have a specialized crisis center where you can walk in for a crisis assessment and referrals to additional services. Appointments are not needed. The crisis center in your county is provided by:
Monarch
2693-D Forest Hills Road
Wilson, NC
252-234-7800
If you are in a crisis and need immediate mental health assistance, please go to the Walk-in clinic. The operating hours are Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm and is available without an appointment.
Emergent and Urgent needs may come to the walk-in clinic or contact the Access Department via phone at 1-800-913-6109.
If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 911. Ask for a CIT police officer who has had additional training in crisis situations.
Have Support Come to You
Crisis situations are often best resolved at home. Mobile Crisis Teams are available 24 hours a day in all counties. Professional counselors will speak with you and your family during a visit. They have an average response time of 2 hours. This service is provided by:
Easter Seals-UCP
800 893-8640
Eastpointe is a managed care organization whose mission is to work together with individuals, families, providers, and communities to achieve valued outcomes in the behavioral healthcare system. They are a local resource to provide quick access to mental health resources and services. Customer Service Specialists will assist you to find a crisis provider that is well-matched with your needs.
You can ask about services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, by calling this number:
1-800-913-6109.
Eastpointe.net
Wilson County Crisis Walk-in Center:
Many counties have a specialized crisis center where you can walk in for a crisis assessment and referrals to additional services. Appointments are not needed. The crisis center in your county is provided by:
Monarch
2693-D Forest Hills Road
Wilson, NC
252-234-7800
If you are in a crisis and need immediate mental health assistance, please go to the Walk-in clinic. The operating hours are Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm and is available without an appointment.
Emergent and Urgent needs may come to the walk-in clinic or contact the Access Department via phone at 1-800-913-6109.
If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 911. Ask for a CIT police officer who has had additional training in crisis situations.
Have Support Come to You
Crisis situations are often best resolved at home. Mobile Crisis Teams are available 24 hours a day in all counties. Professional counselors will speak with you and your family during a visit. They have an average response time of 2 hours. This service is provided by:
Easter Seals-UCP
800 893-8640
Files for viewing or download:
School Based Mental Health Services | |
File Size: | 152 kb |
File Type: |
Mental Health Services NASP Position Statement | |
File Size: | 108 kb |
File Type: |
Websites:
http://www.ecac-parentcenter.org/Mental-Health.aspx?sid=160&pid=130&red=yes
http://www.schoolmentalhealth.org/Resources/Fam/ResFam.html
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml
http://www.nasponline.org/
http://www.mentalhealth.gov/
http://www.nmha.org/
http://www.nami.org/
http://www.apa.org/
http://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/gen-resources.htm
http://www.samhsa.gov/treatment/index.aspx
http://www.mchscares.org/support-mississippis-youth/events/childrens-mental-health-awareness-week-activities/
http://www.everymomentcounts.org/
http://crisissolutionsnc.org/
https://porthumanservices.org/childadolescent-outpatient-treatment/