Faced with the various situations and challenges people face every day, they may experience many feelings, ideas, sensations and thoughts, but when does one really think about needing help or seeking mental well-being? Especially when it occurs in children or adolescents.
Mental health is a state of mental, emotional and behavioural well-being, and in childhood and adolescence it also means achieving development and learning indicators, and then developing healthy physical, social and emotional habits.
Mental health disorders, meanwhile, are persistent or severe changes in the way children and adolescents normally learn, behave or manage their emotions and are caused by various genetic, biological, environmental and lifestyle factors.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental disorders are among the most common health conditions in the United States.
According to the agency, 1 in 5 children, either currently or at some point in their lives, have had a severely debilitating mental illness; while more than 1 in 3 high school students had experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2019, a 40 percent increase since 2009.
In 2019, about 1 in 6 young people reported making a suicide plan in the past year, a 44 percent increase since 2009.
While 1 in 5 Americans will experience mental illness in a given year, and 1 in 25 Americans lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.
According to the alliance of physicians and specialists STOP COVID-19 CA and Stanford Medicine, when children or adolescents are going through moments of stress or pain, self-care and other tools can help mental health and well-being by improving their mood, preventing some problems or contributing to the treatment of those who already have a mental disorder.
But how to help?
According to specialists, it is important to keep in touch with friends and family; develop healthy eating habits and stay hydrated; do daily physical activity; practice your favorite activities more or try new ones; watch videos, programs, movies or anything that makes you laugh.
In addition, manage your time, making the most of it and not taking on more responsibilities than you can handle; observe, examine and change your thoughts; calm your mind with deep breathing, meditation or mindfulness exercises; get enough sleep; and avoid alcohol and drugs, as they can worsen mental conditions.
It is worth noting that specialists have pointed out that parents contribute to their child's mental health by monitoring their developmental milestones and practicing positive parenting; as well as limiting daily time in front of the television or electronic devices; ensuring that they have a daily and predictable routine for meals, naps, and sleeping at night; as well as helping them recognize their emotions and feelings.
Last but not least, parents can help their child by talking to a mental health professional if they notice persistent changes in behavior.
There are nearly one billion people worldwide who suffer from some form of mental illness, while in the U.S. more than 50 percent of the population will be diagnosed with one at some point in their lives.
Recognize the signs
- Anyone can experience one or more of these signs at any time, but if it is a combination of symptoms, if they persist or interfere with daily life, it is best to seek help.
- Noticeable changes in mood, sleep patterns and eating.
- Constantly feeling sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, or extreme worry.
- Memory problems and lack of concentration to complete work or school activities.
- Withdrawing from family and friends or stopping activities you enjoy.
- Increase the consumption of alcohol and drugs.
- Difficulty coping with stress and common problems.
Who requires immediate professional attention?
- Those who have suicidal thoughts or plans to harm themselves or someone else.
- Those who see things or hear voices that no one else sees or hears.
- Those with unexplained and unexpected changes in personality, way of thinking, speaking or writing.
Where to find help?
While help can be just talking to someone you trust and improving self-care tools, it's also important to consult with a health care professional or mental health specialist.
Lifelines: Free, confidential support numbers available 24/7.
- Crisis or suicide risk emergencies for yourself or someone else: 1-888-628-9454; 1-800-273-8255; 1-800-704-0900. For those with area codes other than 408, 650, and 669, press 1 for Santa Clara County.
- They can also access the sites http://988lifeline.org/help-yourself/en-espanol/ and www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat.
- For people ages 12-24 in crisis in California: 1-800-843-5200 or visit the website https://calyouth.org/cycl.
- For people with mental health issues in San Mateo County: 1-800-686-0101 on the website https://www.smchealth.org/.
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