In a healthy brain, a person will feel moderate levels of anxiety from time to time. Life can be unpredictable and can cause stress. It is when the anxiety begins to take over one's life that it becomes a larger problem. Sometimes, this takes the form of Generalized Anxiety Disorders.

Much like adults, children also suffer from depression. Internal factors, external factors, or a combination of both may cause depression. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of mental health illnesses provide a strong prognosis for children and adolescents.

Detecting the signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety in children can be the first of many important steps in getting your child the help they need.

Signs and Symptoms include:

• Poor or changing sleep patterns or habits

• Loss of interest in hobbies or activities that your child used to enjoy

• Physical symptoms (headaches, stomachaches)

• Increase in explosive behaviours or emotional outbursts

• Changes in Appetite (binge eating or skipping meals)

• Withdrawing or isolating themselves from their family and friends

• Engaging in acts of self-harm

• Thoughts of suicide

  
  

  (Depression in Children, KIDTHINK, n.d.)

This resource helps to share the idea of mental health struggles with children. Often, children struggling with their mental health feel that they are alone in this struggle. This video would be an age-appropriate resource to start a conversation on mental health with children.

Facilitating conversations surrounding mental health in your home/class environment is key when helping children identify their emotions and experiences. These conversations can take place as young as toddler age. They can be as simple as providing classification cards depicting various children expressing emotions such as sadness and anger. This helps children identify and label their feelings from a young age.

As the children get older, the content can be geared towards age-appropriate content. For example, preschool-aged children can participate in art therapy, expressing their emotions through a variety of mediums.

Children of all ages benefit from speaking to a trusted adult. This may be an educator, a parent, a grandparent, or a mental health professional.

Lastly, a conversation with the child's pediatrician and/or family doctor is one of the first official steps recommended when helping a child with their mental health struggles. After assessing the child and facilitating a discussion, the doctor will determine the best course of action for the child. This may be therapy from a mental health professional such as a social worker, therapist, or psychotherapist, medications such as anti-anxiety or anti-depressants, or a combination of both.

• Toxic Living Environments

• Exposure to abuse (sexual, physical, emotional, exposure to intimate partner violence)

• Experiencing difficult life changes (death of a parent, divorce)

• Being Bullied by peer group

  
  

  (Depression in Children, KIDTHINK, n.d.)

Internal factors include:

• Predisposition to mental health illness through genetics

• Pre-existing undiagnosed medical conditions such as ADHD and OCD

(Depression in Children, KIDTHINK, n.d.)

• Kids Help Phone Line (1-800-668-6868) Children can connect with therapists 24/7

• CMHO (Canada's Mental Health Ontario): https://cmho.org/youth-resources/ This website offers many resources to assist educators, children, and caregivers in supporting children struggling with mental health challenges. One example of a Youth resource is One Stop Talk. Children ages 0-17 can call (for free) and chat with a mental health professional. Ongoing community resources are provided if needed.

• Mind Your Mind (https://mindyourmind.ca/#) is A space designed for adolescents aged 14-29 to explore their mental health & wellness. This website provides a lot of information on a variety of mental health disorders, such as eating disorders, Addiction, Grief, GAD, Anxiety, Depression, Substance Abuse, and so much more.

  
  

Some examples of strategies that can be implemented to facilitate a trauma-informed classroom include:

• Provide a "cooling tent" or "cozy corner" for children to retreat to when they need alone time. This area can be furnished with big pillows or other textiles, books, fidgets, and visuals.

• Provide visuals for children who struggle with routine throughout the day. This helps children to know what is coming next in their daily routine.

• Using positive redirecting strategies vs disciplinary measures when correcting undesired behaviours.

• Build strong relationships with children and foster conversations around the child's interests and ideas.

• Promote independence, critical thinking, and self-expression.

• Develop Independent Learning Plans suited to meet the individual needs of children in the program by working with resource consultants and caregivers.

• Make a note of each individual child's personality type, triggers and sensitivities.

• Provide ample opportunities for children to create and explore art mediums to allow for self-expression.

• Encourage the exploration of nature by engaging with the outdoor environments.

• (National Education Association, 2023)

Children's Mental Health Ontario. (2024). Kid's Mental Health Resources. Children's Mental Health Ontario. https://cmho.org/resources/

Children's Mental Health Ontario. (2024). Youth Resources. Children's Mental Health Ontario. https://cmho.org/youth-resources/#:~:text=Kids%20Help%20Phone&text=They%20also%20offer%20resources%20on,free%2024%2Dhour%20confidential%20support.

Kid's Help Phone. (2021, August 31). Real kids talk about coping with anxiety. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3_Ew7ejOo4

KIDTHINK. (n.d.). Depression in Children. KIDTHINK, Healthy Minds, Thriving Children. https://www.kidthink.ca/depression-in-children/#:~:text=Approximately%2010%20to%2020%20percent,real%20and%20needs%20our%20attention.

National Education Association. (2023, August). Trauma Informed Practices. National Education Association. https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/trauma-informed-practices