Support for parents"More than two-thirds of adults living with a mental health problem report that symptoms first appeared during their youth."

1. Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2010

This information focuses on issues related to youth aged 12 and older.

According to Children’s Mental Health Ontario, it is estimated that nearly one in five Ontario children under the age of 19 experience a mental, emotional or behavioural disorder that is severe enough to seriously affect their daily functioning at home, school or within the community. The good news is that early diagnosis and treatment may lead to better outcomes for children later in life.

1. Children’s Mental Health Ontario (www.kidsmentalhealth.ca, retrieved 2014)

Unique challenges

Adolescence can be a particularly challenging stage of life and can be a time of dramatic change. Young people may feel tremendous pressure to succeed at school, at home and in social groups. At the same time, they may lack the life experience that lets them know that difficult situations will not last forever. Mental health problems commonly associated with adults, such as depression, can also affect young people.

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, mental disorders in youth are ranked as the second highest hospital expenditure in Canada – surpassed only by injuries.

1. Canadian Mental Health Association (www.cmha.ca, retrieved 2014)

Common areas of stress

• School
• Work
• Peers
• Self-esteem
• Home life

Common mental health concerns

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Self-injury/harm
• Eating disorders

Tips and tools for parents

Recognizing symptoms is important. Begin by informing yourself and promote mental health awareness amongst family members.

Two questions you may be asking yourself are “Could my child have a mental illness?” and “What should I look for?” It can be hard to tell the difference between normal changes as your child grows and the symptoms of mental illness. Here are some things you can look for:

• Sudden changes in behaviour (an active child becomes quiet and withdrawn)
• Sudden changes in their feelings (signs of feeling unhappy, worried, guilty, angry, fearful, hopeless or rejected)
• Complaints of physical problems (headaches, stomach aches, problems sleeping, or a general lack of energy)
• Suddenly keeping to themselves
• Unexpected change in grades
• Trouble coping with regular activities and everyday problems
• Preoccupation with their weight (significant weight loss or gain)
• Deliberately hurting themselves, unexplained scars, wearing long pants or long sleeves in warm weather
• Talk of suicide (not wanting to live anymore, etc.)

1. Canadian Mental Health Association (www.cmha.ca) / Children’s Mental Health Ontario (www.kidsmentalhealth.ca, retrieved 2014)

How can you find the right treatment/support for your child?

• A good place to begin is to have a conversation with your family doctor.
• You may want to write down some information that will be helpful for the doctor and bring the list to your appointment:
  • Things that cause difficulty for your child.
  • The times of the day that your child is most affected.
  • Settings that are the most difficult.
  • Events or circumstances that led up to your child experiencing difficulty.
  • Things you have done when your child is having difficulty.
• Look for counselling agencies in your community that offer mental health services to children and youth.
• Remember that ‘right fit’ is important. This means that your child needs to feel comfortable with the counsellor/therapist; they need to feel as though they have a say in who they are seeing for assistance and feel encouraged to speak freely in the session.
• Model positive mental health self-care:
  • Teaching your children how to manage emotions, especially negative ones.
  • Talk openly about stress, anxious feelings and life challenges.
  • Encourage talking to someone professional as being beneficial.
• There are a number of national and provincial websites that provide further helpful information that can support you and your child:
  • Canadian Mental Health Association
  • Mental Health Commission of Canada
  • The “I’m a parent” section on Healthy Minds Canada
  • Mind Your Mind – an interactive and educational website that is geared to youth
  • Partners for mental health

Click on this link to find more information about Youth, teens and mental health.

1. Children’s Mental Health Ontario (www.kidsmentalhealth.ca, retrieved 2014)