Children, young people and mental health services

Growing up is not easy. At every stage of development, from the pre-school years right through to the teenage years, there are challenges that test a child’s emotional and mental health. Supporting good mental health in children and young people helps them build lasting relationships, communicate well, and adapt to change as they grow into adults.

If your child is dealing with a mental health issue, it helps to know who you can talk to and where you can get support.

Pre-school children and mental health#

With very young children, the focus is not so much on looking for signs of mental illness as on creating a secure environment in which your child can develop at their own pace. When children feel safe and loved, they have the best chance to develop the social skills they need throughout life.

As they grow and get ready to start school, children gradually learn to:

• Express and control their emotions
• Communicate their needs and interests
• Behave appropriately in different situations
• Form friendships and work together with others
• Resolve conflicts

You can encourage good mental health in your child by actively listening to them, giving them plenty of free play time, rewarding good behavior, being affectionate, and sharing your own emotions in healthy ways.

All children develop at different rates and cope differently with the challenges of growing up. Some are more anxious or shy, while others may be irritable or misbehave more than is usual. If you are concerned about worrying behavior, there are places you can turn to for help. A good place to start is your doctor or a child health nurse, who can talk through the developmental issues that might be affecting your child’s behavior and suggest further support services.

Many regions also have parenting helplines, websites and online programs that offer practical tips and strategies to help parents and carers support a child’s development, emotional regulation and wellbeing.

School-age children (around five to ten)#

Children between about five and ten go through many changes as they adjust to school life and spend long periods of time away from their parents. If you are concerned about how your child is coping, it is a good idea to talk to them about it and to seek help if you are unsure what to do.

Your child may be struggling with shyness, separation anxiety, peer pressure, bullying, or a behavioral condition such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Speak to your doctor and the school counselor about any concerns. They can suggest other ways of communicating with your child and, if needed, refer you to mental health services such as a child psychologist or child psychiatrist.

Confidential telephone and online counseling services can be a good option for children who do not feel comfortable talking about their feelings with family members. Many child-health organizations also publish fact sheets and toolkits on child development, behavioral problems and other health issues. Some offer structured programs that help parents and carers support children who are experiencing fear and anxiety, with strategies to help children manage stress and build emotional resilience.

Moving towards the teenage years#

As children approach high school, they face pressures they may not have experienced before, such as concerns about body image, social media, and sexual development. It can be hard to make sense of all the changes going on.

Sometimes a young person will want to talk to family or friends about what they are going through, and at other times they will prefer to talk to someone outside that circle. A school counselor or local doctor is a good option. Conversations with them are private, and they can direct a young person to further support if needed. Online programs are also available to help parents and carers support a pre-teen’s mental health, wellbeing and development.

Teenagers and mental health#

Some teenagers experience mental health problems and illness. They may go through periods of depression and anxiety, or have problems with bullying, peer pressure, or drugs and alcohol.

The most important thing is to have someone to turn to when help is needed. A good place to start is talking with family and friends about how you are feeling. If you would rather speak to someone you do not know, a school counselor or local doctor can help, and your conversations with them are private. They can connect you with mental health services such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Dedicated youth mental health services offer support, information and advice to young people, often for those roughly between 12 and 25 years of age. Parents can also find useful information about supporting a teenager’s development, resilience and emotional wellbeing.

Getting urgent help#

If you, a friend, or a family member needs urgent support, reach out to a crisis or mental health support service. Many regions have free crisis support and suicide prevention helplines, as well as services for people having suicidal thoughts and for family or friends affected by suicide. The resources below list services you can contact for advice, counseling and mental health information.

Key points#

• Supporting good mental health from an early age helps children build relationships, communicate, and adapt to change.
• For young children, a safe and loving environment matters more than watching for signs of illness.
• Each stage of childhood brings different challenges, from separation anxiety and bullying to body image and peer pressure in the teenage years.
• A doctor, child health nurse, or school counselor is a good first point of contact, and can refer you to further mental health services.
• Confidential counseling services and crisis helplines are available for children, young people and their families.

Where to get help#