Mental Health Crisis for Children and Young People | Health Hygiene

According to Health Hygiene, In the past two years, the epidemic has not only claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. It also keeps us indoors, cuts off social ties, and throws our parents out of work and our kids out of school. The impact is huge. One result is alarming levels of anxiety and depression in children and young adults.

National Emergency for Children and Youth

In fall 2022, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children's Hospital Association declared a national child and adolescent mental Health Hygiene emergency. They advocate for increased funding for mental health resources, greater integration of mental health care into schools and primary care, more community systems to connect people to mental health programs, and more access to mental health care.

First, we need to understand this. When a child has a fever or a prolonged cough, the parent's response: They pay attention and seek help. But if a child seems sad, cranky, or less interested in activities they used to enjoy, they tend to see it as a phase, or teenage anxiety, or something they can ignore. Mental health not only affects physical health, but if left untreated, mental health problems can also affect children's learning, social interaction, self-esteem and other important developmental aspects, affecting their lives. Untreated mental health problems.

So be careful and take what you see seriously. Call your doctor if your child shows signs of anxiety or depression. Please don't put it back If your child talks about hurting himself or others, get help right away, such as going to your local emergency room. In these cases, it is better to overreact than underreact.

Create Communication Rituals and Safe Spaces for Conversation

It's easy to lose touch with kids, especially teens. Whether it's family dinners, family game night, school talk, or late-night check-ins at bedtime, it's important to regularly ask open-ended questions and listen to your child. We all need it, especially children. Make sure you don't go overboard. Make time for them to do what they love.

Healthy Media Habits

One of the things kids love these days is using their own devices. It can be fun and bonding with friends, but it can also lead to mental health issues. Discuss how your child uses media. Common Sense Media provides a wealth of useful information.

Sleep and Exercise

Both are important not only for physical health but also for mental health. Stay in touch with teachers, coaches, and other adults in your child's life. Not only do they have the information you need about your child, but they can also play an important support role. It's important to have an honest conversation with them, especially now that we're all helping to build the community you need.

Try to Make free Judgment Home

That doesn't mean you can't and shouldn't have expectations about behavior or grades. But you can have expectations without judgment, you can and should let your children know that you love them no matter what, that they can talk about how they feel, and that you will always help them. Try to listen more and talk less be empathetic and understanding. To do this, you need to be compassionate and tolerant of everyone, including yourself.

Take Care of your Mental Health

If you clearly suffer from anxiety or depression and do nothing about it, you are sending the wrong message to your child. It also makes it difficult to be a good parent.