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Mental Health: 11/18/2021

Resource: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/mental-illness-in-children/art-20046577

Overview of Dan's presentation: Great presentation with a lot of valuable resources. I liked the reminders about different ways to reach students and meeting students where they are at. Mental illness within children is a lot more common than we may think, and it is scary! I try to connect with each and every one of my students, but I am sure I don't reach them all the way I would like. I liked how the presentation reminded us, as teachers, not to take everything to heart and to remember that no matter how hard we try, sometimes we cannot reach everyone. It is so important to listen to students and actually hear what they have to say. I feel DE has a lot of great resources and staff available to help students and staff with mental health.

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Mental illness in children: Know the signs

Children can have the same mental health conditions as adults, but their symptoms may be different. Know what to watch for and how you can help.
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Mental illness in children can be hard for parents to notice. As a result, many children who could be helped by treatment don't get the help they need. Learn the warning signs of mental illness in children and how you can help your child.

What is a mental illness?

Mental health is the overall wellness of how you think, manage your feelings and behave. A mental illness may also be called a mental health disorder. It is patterns or changes in thinking, feeling or behaving that causes distress or gets in the way of being able to act.

Mental health conditions in children are most often defined as delays or changes in thinking, behaviors, social skills or control over emotions. These problems distress children. Mental health conditions disrupt their being able to act well at home, in school or in other social settings.

Barriers to treating childhood mental health disorders

It can be hard to detect mental health conditions in children because typical childhood growth is a process that involves change. Also, the symptoms of a condition may depend on a child's age. Young children may not be able to express how they feel or explain why they are behaving a certain way.

Concerns might keep parents from getting care for a child who might have a mental illness. Concerns may be about the stigma linked to mental illness, the use of medicines, the cost of treatment or problems getting help.

Common disorders among children

Mental health disorders in children may include the following:

Anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders in children are outsized fears or worries that are hard to control. These worries disrupt children's being able to take part in play, school or social activities. Diagnoses include social anxiety, generalized anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Compared with most children of the same age, children with ADHD have trouble with paying attention, acting on impulse, being too active, called hyperactivity, or some mix of these problems.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological condition that appears in early childhood, often before age 3. How severe ASD is varies. But children with this disorder have trouble talking with and connecting with others.

Eating disorders. Eating disorders are defined as an unhealthy focus on an ideal body type, disordered thinking about weight and weight loss, and unsafe eating and dieting habits. Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder can result in not being able to act emotionally and socially. And they can cause life-threatening physical complications.

Depression and other mood disorders. Depression is lasting feelings of sadness, low or irritable mood, and loss of interest in typical activities. These get in the way of a child being able to do well in school and interact with others. Bipolar disorder results in big mood swings between depression and extreme emotional or behavioral highs. These highs can cause risky or unsafe actions.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is long-term emotional upset, worry, scary memories, nightmares and acting out. This is in response to violence, abuse, injury or other traumas a child has had or come into contact with.

Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a disorder in perceptions and thoughts. Schizophrenia causes a person to lose touch with reality, called psychosis. It most often starts in the late teens through the 20s. Schizophrenia can cause a person to see or hear things that aren't there, called hallucinations. It also can cause odd thoughts and behaviors.

What are the warning signs of mental illness in children?

Warning signs that your child may have a mental health disorder include:

Sadness that lasts two or more weeks.

Changes in being social or staying away from others.

Hurting oneself or talking about hurting oneself.

Talking about death or suicide.

Having outbursts or being very moody or testy.

Out-of-control behavior that can be harmful.

Big changes in mood, behavior or personality.

Changes in eating habits.

Loss of weight.

Trouble sleeping.

Getting headaches or stomachaches often.

Trouble concentrating.

Doing poorly in school.

Not going to school.

What should I do if I suspect that my child has a mental health condition?

If you're worried about your child's mental health, consult your child's healthcare professional. Describe the behaviors that concern you. Talk to your child's teachers, close friends, relatives or other caregivers to see if they've noticed changes in your child's behavior. Share this information with your child's healthcare professional.

How do healthcare professionals diagnose mental illness in children?

Mental health conditions in children are diagnosed and treated based on symptoms and how the condition affects a child's daily life. To make a diagnosis, your child's healthcare professional might suggest that your child see a specialist. This might be a psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical social worker, psychiatric nurse practitioner or other mental healthcare professional. Seeing a specialist might include:

Complete medical exam.

Medical history.

History of physical or emotional trauma.

Family history of physical and mental health.

Review of symptoms and concerns with parents.

Timeline of how the child has matured.

School history.

Talking with parents.

Talking with the child and watching the behavior.

Mental health tests and questionnaires for the child and parents.

Healthcare professionals might use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The DSM is a guide published by the American Psychiatric Association. It provides ways to make a diagnosis based on symptoms. Another diagnostic guideline is the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) from the World Health Organization.

Diagnosing mental illness in children can take time. Young children may have trouble knowing or saying how they feel. How children matures varies. A healthcare professional may change or adjust a diagnosis over time.

How is mental illness in children treated?

Common treatments for children who have mental health conditions include:

Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy or behavior therapy, involves talking with a psychologist or other mental health professional. With young children, psychotherapy may include playtime or games. During psychotherapy, children and teens learn how to talk about and manage thoughts and feelings. They learn new behaviors and coping skills.

Medicines. Your child's healthcare or mental health professional may suggest a medicine as part of the treatment plan. This medicine might be a stimulant, an antidepressant, an anti-anxiety medicine, an antipsychotic or a mood stabilizer. The healthcare professional most often reviews the hoped for benefits, possible risks and side effects of the medicine.

How can I help my child cope with mental illness?

You play a huge role in supporting your child's treatment plan. To care for yourself and your child:

Learn about the illness.

Consider family counseling that treats all members as partners in the treatment plan.

Ask your child's mental health professional for advice on how to respond to your child and handle tough behavior.

Enroll in parent training programs designed for parents of children with a mental illness.

Look for ways to handle stress and help you respond calmly.

Seek ways to relax and have fun with your child.

Praise your child's strengths and skills.

Work with your child's school to get the support your child needs.

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Show references

1. Use of the manual. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5. 5th ed. American Psychiatric Association; 2013. https://dsm.psychiatryonline.org. Accessed Jan. 20, 2020.

2. Normal or not: When to get help. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Normality-022.aspx. Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.

3. What is children's mental health? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/basics.html. Accessed Sept. 20, 2023.

4. Kliegman RM, et al. Psychosocial assessment and interviewing. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 27, 2020.

5. Stigma, prejudice and discrimination against people with mental illness. American Psychiatric Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination. Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.

6. Walter HJ, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with anxiety disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 2020; doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2020.05.005.

7. Wolraich ML, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. American Academy of Pediatrics. 2019; doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2528.

8. Autism spectrum disorders. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/The-Child-With-Autism-011.aspx. Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.

9. Depression in children and teens. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/The-Depressed-Child-004.aspx. Accessed Jan. 22, 2020.

10. Bipolar disorder in children and teens. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Bipolar-Disorder-In-Children-And-Teens-038.aspx. Accessed Jan. 22, 2020.

11. Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Comprehensive-Psychiatric-Evaluation-052.aspx. Accesssed Jan. 22, 2020.

12. Psychotherapy for children and adolescents: Definition. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/What-Is-Psychotherapy-For-Children-And-Adolescents-053.aspx. Accessed Jan. 22, 2020.

13. Psychiatric medication for children and adolescents: Part I - How medications are used. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Psychiatric-Medication-For-Children-And-Adolescents-Part-I-How-Medications-Are-Used-021.aspx. Accessed Jan. 22, 2020.

14. Learning to help your child and your family. National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/find-support/family-members-and-caregivers/learning-to-help-your-child-and-your-family. Accessed Jan. 24, 2020.

See more In-depth

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Worried about your child's mental health?

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It can be hard to tell the difference between typical behavior and symptoms of mental illness in children. Find out what to look for and when to act.

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Mental Health: 5/8/2020

Comprehensive guide to helping students with mental health issues, including classroom strategies designed specifically for educators:
https://childmind.org/audience/for-educators/

Excellent presentation; thank you Dan!

Something that stood out to me in this presentation, and that I will take to heart with my reading groups, is that so many of the strategies and accommodations that make school more manageable for students with mental health issues are also helpful for every student. Having consistent structure and clear expectations, genuine praise, encouraging positive social engagement, catching students "being good,"--these are all good practices that are especially important for students with mental health challenges but will benefit all of our students. Since we can't always know which students are struggling or how much, it's wise to support all students in these ways as much as we can.

I also appreciated the reminder about the "protective factors" for encouraging good mental health; a sense of belonging, feelings of accomplishment, and the knowledge that students can make a difference are ideas that we can all work to promote with our students.

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Mental Health: 5/1/2020

https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness

A good reminder to meet kids where they are at.  How can we help them to develop skills to manage mental health but also to manage emotions. It was a good reminder of how to talk to kids that are struggling mentally and to really listen and not lecture.  It's important tell the student that you are here to help and to listen.  Don't be afraid to ask direct questions. Lastly, it reminded me to not take behaviors personal but to ask myself "why" and "what" is the underlying reason this student may be misbehaving?  And if I don't think I can go it alone use my resources (professionally trained staff around me)!

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Mental Health: 1/17/20

Great resource for strategies:
https://www.teachspeced.ca/oppositional-defiant-disorder

I was diagnosed with ADHD in the 90's in elementary. I struggled to maintain focus and always had a jig/movement going on. It was challenging to make it through most days, I can relate to my students who struggle with mental illness/special needs. As I grew older, my ability to focus improved by the time I hit puberty, which is not always the case for our kids.  As I consider my classroom, I can think of a number of kids that have their own struggles. It can be easy to fall into the "helpless" trap about the "other 20 kids" I need to teach, but then I think about the big picture. All of our kids are going to be adults someday. It is our job to not only teach them how to think, but also to provide them with coping strategies that help them hurdle barriers, instead of removing them. This can be a catch 22 sometimes, and I have had to rethink my approach with some of my struggling kids.

The greatest resource I think available to us has been our CASEL training with No Bully. Mental illness continues to be a stigma and these kids are susceptible to teasing and bullying, which brings about other concerns, like depression and suicide. It is so important for teachers to arm themselves with a diverse network of support and strategies to ensure that we are able to meet the needs of all of our students in caring and supportive way. I have compiled a list of  strategies that promote a culture of empathy within your classroom. These come straight from the No Bully book I received for being on the staff team. I have implemented and tried many of these strategies, and my favorite is weekly check-ins/shares, games, self-reflection, social contracts and class mantras!

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Mental Health 11/8/19
What a good reminder to always start with kindness because we have no idea what’s going on with someone else.  I remind my students of this often, but a good reminder for myself.  Thank you, Dan!  We are the front runners with lots of tasks to complete.  It’s easy to start with disappointment or frustration.  This is a reminder to start by checking the mental health of the student.

Mental health of students is such a huge piece.  Safe, encouraging, opportunity, and confidence are all words used to describe good mental health, but some students do not have these things.  It is very difficult to figure out who for various reasons.  Calm classroom and responsive classroom are ways I’m helping all of my students.  Individuals are also receiving individual interventions and communication to assist with their needs.

schoolguide.casel.org

We just had a professional development workshop on schoolwide SEL.  I have been searching for a good resource to share, but this one is truly amazing for our goal of social emotional learning.  What an amazing resource now that we are implementing SEL in our school.

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Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health

2-18-19

Helpful site:  https://crisis2southeastmn.com/

This site is a crisis hotline for Southeastern Minnesota. There is a # to call if you or someone you know is in need of help or support 24/7.  They list warning signs, mental health service and depression supports.

The slide show was great!!  Quick reminders and new info for all!

This information is a great quick list for those who don’t deal with these issues on a regular basis.  As a Special Education teacher some of these issues I deal with daily, others as they come up and unfortunately they can come up often.  We often need food/snacks and clothing in our classrooms to meet the needs students are NOT getting at home. It is so sad to think kids come hungry and in dirty clothes…right here at DEHS.  We are teachers but we are also counselors, mental health providers, caregivers, and whatever else support they need to get through a day.  We need to remind ourselves we need to reach out for help when kids show these signs.  Talk to the pros in the building who are better educated to deal with such issues...refer them!  we have Katie J, Ryan M and Heather (outside services).

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