Signs Your Child Needs a Mental Health Day (and How to Give It)
Students were already going through a mental health crisis before the coronavirus turned their world upside down. But when the pandemic forced everyone to isolate, it only made the problem worse.
“There is a clear and dramatic increase in childhood anxiety and depressive symptoms [during the pandemic], probably by about 30 percent,” says Dr. Helen Egger, co-founder, chief physician and chief research officer at Little Otter . “We’ve also seen a rise in children coming in with mental health problems in some emergency rooms.”
New York Times recently reported that adolescents believe that schools should be given to the mental health of students a priority, and to offer mental health days to help them relax and rejuvenate . But even as awareness of anxiety and depression grows among adolescents, parents and teachers often feel that children should not stay at home – they should “put up with it.”
“If this is something that 20 percent of children face and we have treatment for it, we need to talk about it and define it,” Egger says. “We know that 75 percent of mental health problems in adults begin before the age of 14. The fact that we have stigma about mental health, especially among children, means that we lose the opportunity to intervene and overcome these problems as soon as possible. ”
As schools gradually learn ways to improve student well-being, we spoke to Egger about what parents can do if their child is depressed and may need a mental health day – and she offers some tips on how children and parents can do it. most of it.
Signs that the child is struggling
As most children start the school year, many will feel anxious for several weeks, transitioning from a lazy summer rhythm to a more structured routine. They will meet new friends and teachers and worry about their future in both the short and long term.
Younger children are more likely to come home unable to stick together and throw a tantrum or two. Teens will also be emotionally depressed. Egger says this is common for a few weeks and children should return to their normal selves as soon as they get used to the new routine. But if you notice a significant change in behavior, Egger recommends that you seek professional help. Here are some signs she advises to look out for:
- Feelings of sadness, fear and anxiety overwhelm them.
- They complain of stomach pains, headaches, and other pains.
- They have trouble sleeping at night.
- Their appetite changes.
- They don’t want to do what they usually enjoy.
- They isolate themselves in their bedroom.
There is also a free mental health toolkit for families with children aged 2-12 that parents may find useful.
How to spend a mental health day
The concept of a mental health day can be difficult for parents and school administrators to understand, as one district called it a “student illness and well-being” absence to avoid any stigma. Egger says another way to think about child mental health day is to understand that mental health problems are similar to physical ailments and need to be cared for in the same way.
“If your child is struggling with mental health and anxiety, that may be a reason to stay at home,” she says.
Egger also believes that there are two types of mental health days. In the first case, the child has a day filled with activities that help him relax and rejuvenate. But if it is clear that a child has mental health problems that are causing family conflicts or affecting their school performance, then this should be treated with therapy, not as a way to avoid problems in school.
“A day or two at home is not the answer [in some cases],” Egger says. “If your child is really struggling, use this day to learn more about what he is struggling with and take him to a mental health professional.”
If you can spend a day or two at home with your child, Egger advises looking for signs of something more serious that may be happening, such as signs of bullying or trouble with the teacher.
“It’s important to be open about your child’s feelings,” she says. “There are no good feelings and bad feelings. They are who they are, and we want to understand how they feel, and we will not condemn them. One of the things we do as parents is to jump up and find a solution for them or calm them down, but when they struggle it’s important to listen and create that space so they can share their feelings. “
Egger also recommends taking time out to your parents to check your mental health.
“The way a child is affected by a depressed parent or someone who is overly stressed, overworked and overworked will have a huge impact on how they feel,” she says. “Children learn no longer by what we tell them, but by what they see in our actions.”