Three of the nation’s largest child and adolescent medical groups have together declared a national state of emergency in pediatric mental health, largely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Children’s Hospital Association have tracked soaring rates of depression, anxiety, trauma, loneliness, and suicidality.
Dr. Gail Saltz, M.D., best-selling author and one of the nation’s foremost experts on both children and adult mental health, says it's very important for parents to watch for the signs of mental health trouble in their kids.
Dr. Saltz says signs include:
-A child being sad or anxious a good bit of the day
-Asking a lot of "what if" questions
-Interruptions in sleep, or changes in appetite
-A drop in engagement in schoolwork and/or a drop in grades
-Not wanting to engage with friends
It's imperative that parents react when they see these signs.
"The sooner that you get treatment, the more treatable it is, and the faster you can get them back on their normal path," Dr. Saltz says.
But it's not just about paying attention to your child's mental health, it's vital to watch for signs of depression and anxiety in yourself.
"The reality is kids have great radar, and they do pick up when you're anxious or depressed," Dr. Saltz says. "It's not to make the parent feel guilty, it's actually to encourage the parent that getting their own mental health care will not only help the parent but will also help the child."
And taking care of your mental health will help your child feel more open to the idea.
"You can be a model for how valuable that can be, and how positive and normal a thing that is to do if you're not feeling OK," Dr. Saltz says.
But how do you know if it's time to seek treatment for yourself or your child? It's all about the impact it's having on your day-to-day life.
"The tipping point is normally when the (symptoms) are actually impacting your ability to function," Dr. Saltz adds.
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