This week, we wanted to highlight a very real issue which has high prevalence among children, yet is often ignored and dismissed. Before we begin, it is important to emphasise that if you are concerned about the mental health of your child, it is essential you seek professional medical help and speak to your doctor. Only they can provide the best possible help and guidance. We seek merely to shed light on the issue, and begin a discussion surrounding how best to look after the mental health of our children.
Just like adults, children and young people of all ages feel worried, nervous, and anxious from time to time. I’m sure this is a feeling many of us can remember, whether it was the time we were late to class or the time we forgot to do our homework. This is, to an extent, normal, and to be expected from people of any age. What we must all watch out for, however, is when this level of worry or nervousness begins to affect a child’s overall wellbeing.
There are a number of causes for children feeling anxious, many of which are normal. Separation anxiety, for one, is certainly a normal part of growing up and commonly happens when a child is separated from their parents between 6 months and 3 years of age. It is also common for irrational phobias to appear in primary-school age children, and this can include a fear of spiders or a fear of the dark. Indeed the number of possible causes of anxiety or worry in children are endless. This anxiety, however, becomes a problem when it begins to interfere with the daily life of a child.
An example of such interference could involve a school play. Many children want no part of a school production, but some schools make them compulsory for their youngest students. When the curtain rises, everyone on stage will be feeling some level of nerves, some level of anxiety. Those with a worrying level of anxiety, however, are those who don’t make it to school at all, and miss the play.
The NHS website lists a number of signs to look out for if you are worried your child may have anxiety:
One of the most important things a parent can do if they notice these signs in their children, is talk about their worries. Communication and openness are essential to facing anxiety. We must all reassure and remind our children that it is ok if they are worried, and that we understand how they feel. If this does not help, and the anxiety begins to interfere with and interrupt daily life, then it is worth discussing the issue with your doctor.
Below is a free helpline for parents, provided by Young Minds, which parents or carers with concerns about their child’s mental health can contact for advice:
0808 802 5544
Ivy Education, 126 New Kings Road, London SW6 4LZ
+44 (0)207 736 6977
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