Back to School:
Your Child’s Mental Health: What You Need To Know

It is easy for parents to identify children’s physical needs---like good food, safe housing, plenty of sleep and exercise. Children’s mental and emotional needs may not be as obvious, but they are just as important. Good mental health allows children to develop socially, and intellectually, build self-esteem, learn new skills and develop a positive mental outlook. These tips can help you support your child’s mental health:

• Communicate. Spend time every day listening and talking to your child about what is happening in their lives. Share emotions and feelings with your children.

• Give children unconditional love. Children need to know that your love does not depend on their accomplishments.

• Nurture children's confidence and self-esteem. Praise and encourage your children, and set realistic goals that test their abilities. Accept mistakes and failures as a part of life.

• Encourage children to play. Playtime is important to children’s emotional development. Play helps children be creative, develop problem-solving skills and self-control, and learn how to get along with others.

• Give appropriate guidance and discipline when necessary. Be firm, but kind and realistic with your expectations. The goal is not to control the child, but to help him or her learn self-control.

• Provide a safe and secure environment. Fear can be very real for a child. When they are frightened, try to find out why. Respond by being loving, patient and reassuring, not critical.

Knowing when to seek help:

When your child has an emotional problem, sometimes all it takes is a hug, kiss and a smile from you to make them feel better. However, sometimes children can develop emotional problems that will not go away, no matter how much love and support you give them. The following signs can help you determine if your child needs help from a professional. By identifying possible problems early, your child can be more easily treated.

• Decline in school performance
• Poor grades despite strong efforts
• Constant worry or anxiety
• Repeated refusal to go to school or to take part in normal activities
• Hyperactivity or fidgeting
• Persistent nightmares
• Continuous or frequent aggression or "acting out"
• Continuous or frequent rebellion and/or temper tantrums
• Depression, sadness or irritability

As parents, we believe we can fix almost anything in our children’s lives but sometimes more help is needed. Nearly one in five children has a diagnosable mental health problem. If you are concerned about your child’s mental health, consult with his or her teachers, guidance counselor or other adults that may have information about his or her behavior. If you think there is a problem, make an appointment with your child’s doctor or school psychologist.

To get a referral or for more information, contact your local mental health association or the National Mental Health Association

National Mental Health Association
2000 N. Beauregard Street, 6th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone 703/684-7722
Fax 703/684-5968
Mental Health Resource Center 800/969-NMHA
TTY Line 800/433-5959