Many children and teenagers are facing mental health concerns, more than ever right now. Due to the pandemic, social isolation, disruption of school/education, kids and teens are experiencing increased feelings of anxiety, depression, sadness, self-esteem issues, self-harm, and a host of other concerns.

Parents, it’s heartbreaking and overwhelming to think your children might be experiencing mental health concerns, but help is always available.

Here are a few tips to assist you

• Mental health concerns may look differently in children and teens. Look for include excessive sleeping or trouble sleeping, nightmares, stomachaches, headaches, trouble concentrating (grades and school is impacted suddenly), loss of interest in hobbies/interests, crying, irritability, anger outbursts, isolating, changes in appetite (eating more than usual/less than usual), and lack of self-esteem/harsh self-criticism.

• If you see any of these potential behaviors, don’t panic. It could be many other factors. Check in with your child or teen. Talk to them. Make an appointment with their pediatrician. It could be hormone levels, vitamin deficiencies, etc. (I am not a medical doctor, so check in with a medical professional).

• If you feel your child or teen needs extra emotional support and a safe place to talk, process, and learn healthy working coping skills, search either through insurance, or online for a counselor. Sometimes children and teens might not want to talk about what’s going on, and that’s okay. Many counselors who work with kids and teens are able to build trust and counseling can appear like playing or having fun, but that is part of the process during counseling with younger folks.

• Child and teen counseling incorporates play therapy and expressive therapy (music, lyrics, art, poetry, dance, journaling). Counseling doesn’t always have to look, feel, or be ‘serious’; it can be relaxing, stress relieving, and even fun, especially for children and teens.

Lastly, remember to breathe. Parents do an incredible job of caring for and loving their children. It’s okay to reach out for additional support for your children. Their mental health is no different than their physical well-being. Sometimes, it takes a village.