Mental Health for Children and Teens

The Rise in Mental Health Disorders

Since 2020, there has been a dramatic increase in mental health-related emergency room (ER) visits for children and teens. In fact, the CDC estimates that one in five children have a mental health disorder, but only 20% of those are receiving adequate mental health care. There are a number of factors contributing to this rise. These include a decreased sense of safety, social media usage, a lack of healthy relationships, increased academic and athletic performance pressures and the sudden social isolation and lack of daily structure brought about by the recent pandemic.

Signs Your Child Should See a Mental Health Provider

It’s important not to dismiss symptoms of mental health as a phase, teenage behavior or being hormonal. Call your pediatrician if your child demonstrates any concerning signs, which include frequent irritability, withdrawal from family meals or activities, spending an excessive time in their room or basement, declining grades, spending more than five hours a day on electronics, feeling uncomfortable with their peers, becoming disinterested in their usual extracurricular activities, sleeping excessively or having very early awakenings with difficulty falling back asleep, appetite changes, self abuse, comments indicating hopelessness and use of drugs and alcohol. Additionally, frequent complaints of headache, fatigue, abdominal pain, chest pain or shortness of breath may be related to mental health stress.

Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health

Humans are created for fellowship and relationships. While pediatricians and pediatric mental health providers play a vital role in caring for children and teens, parents can also help support their child’s mental health by engaging in their life. You can do this by spending quality time with your child, talking with them everyday, helping them understand their strengths and navigate their weaknesses, allowing them to make decisions, giving them responsibilities, letting them make mistakes and problem solve, encouraging physical activity, implementing regular family time and simply laughing together. We can’t control our children’s lives, but we can demonstrate how to balance their life and navigate situations and relationships through our own actions.

Lastly, if you have any concerns that your child may have anxiety, depression or thoughts of suicide, do not delay in seeking the help of a mental health professional.

Lorena Buffa, MD, is a Washington University pediatrician with Cloverleaf Pediatrics and has an office in St. Peters. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Buffa by calling 636.928.WELL.