Better education and awareness in children's mental health

I have recently published two blogs regarding children’s mental health.  The first was about the lack of help for children with mental health problems and the second on tips for parents.  Recently the news reported on the issue that many adults do not know what the signs of a mental illness are in children, with them being failed by their schools and other professionals.

It is estimated that 850,000 children have a diagnosed mental health problem.  Diagnosed.  This number could be far higher if every child with a mental health problem was diagnosed.  But with a third of adults not aware of the symptoms of depression, such as waking up early and boredom, children are not receiving the help they so desperately need.

There are news reports of children being locked up in police cells for their own safety, mental health meetings being held in cafés (although this is a separate debate all together) and children receiving little to no support from an underfunded and under-resourced services. To help adults spot the signs of a mental illness in a child, thus leading on to them receiving help as soon as possible, a website has been launched called MindEd.

MindEd is a website designed to raise awareness and to educate adults who work with children and families about children’s mental health.  It helps adults to spot the signs of an illness and how and where to receive help for that child.  It is packed with resources that are easy to understand and can be viewed on laptops, computers, tablets and phones.  This education could create the domino effect and raise better awareness, treatment and support for children with a mental illness and their families.

With this and talks of introducing a professional to work in schools to spot the signs of mental illness and to support them and their families children will begin to receive the help they deserve, which could reduce the number of those with a mental illness in adulthood.

Spotting the signs of a mental illness in a child could save them from developing a mental illness in adulthood if it is treated as soon as possible.  If you are unsure whether a child’s symptoms are that of a mental illness it is better to refer them to help to be on the safe side.  You could be saving a child from developing a disability.

Child mental health issues ‘missed’: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26662873

Children with mental illness – tips for parents: http://positive-mental-health.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/children-with-mental-illness-tips-for.html

Mental health help ‘needed in schools’: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26685550

MindEd: https://www.minded.org.uk/

Young people and mental illness: http://positive-mental-health.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/young-people-and-mental-illness.html

The fight or flight response and your anxiety

When suffering from anxiety, whether it be a short anxiety attack or a more chronic anxiety disorder, the symptoms experienced are triggered by the fight or flight (or F&F) response.  This mechanism is vital for our performance and can save our lives from danger, but when this is triggered when there is no obvious danger the response itself can be frightful and disruptive.

Whilst circulating among the support groups one of the most common concerns regarding anxiety is the symptoms.  Advice I have read for coping with anxiety often object to the idea of understanding why or how these symptoms arise, but I believe that if sufferers understood how the F&F response works, and why, and explain why we experience the symptoms and what their benefits truly are then the anxiety could be greatly reduced.

The F&F response gives us extra energy, better focus and faster reflexes.  This enables us to fight the danger or run away from it, as well as looking out for the danger.  In the time of when we were hunter gatherers this protected us against other tribes and predators.  In the modern era it helps us to focus better on exams and deadlines, giving parents that extra energy to protect their children from danger and to prepare us for a fight. 

The adrenaline released, triggered by the Sympathetic Nervous System (thus triggering the F&F response) encourages the body to divert energy from different parts of the body to the musculo-skeletal system, circulatory system, respiratory system and the brain.  This response affects a very large amount of the body.  Below I will list different parts of the body, the symptoms caused and counter symptoms caused that is often experienced in anxiety:

Senses:

Dilated pupils = fuzzy vision and flashes.

Heightened hearing = ringing.

Sensitive to touch = over-reactive.

Breathing:

Increased rate and shallow = tingling in extremities, numbness, chest pain from hyperventilation, fuzzy vision, ringing in ears and imbalance.

Heart rate:

Quick and fierce = chest pain and palpitations.

Muscles:

Extra energy = spasms, twitches and shakes.

Sharpened reflexes = twitches and shakes.

Digestive and urinary:

Slowed down = nausea, flactuance and stomach ache.

Evacuating = soft or runny stools and frequent urination.

Cognitive:

Increased alertness and awareness = ‘doom and gloom’ (believing that one is going to die), sensitive to the environment (i.e. sudden movements and noises), fearful of unknown, negative thoughts and socially isolated.

It is important to remember that the F&F response and all the symptoms above are not harmful.  A response that is meant to save your life will not kill or harm you.  The symptoms, at the appropriate time, are there to help us.  When trying to calm the body down the best things to do are to take long, deep breaths (which then triggers the heart rate to reduce), remember that the symptoms are not harmful and that they will pass.  Reminding yourself that there is no danger is also important, and so are distraction techniques as the body naturally calms down.

Please do not use this as a diagnostic tool, if you believe a symptom is not typical to anxiety or is causing concern then speak to your doctor.

Children with mental illness – tips for parents

Before I begin I would like to mention that children's health, especially children's mental health, is not my area of knowledge so I will not offer a list of symptoms or behaviours that should alert parents to think that they could possibly have a mental illness.  Children can exhibit symptoms that are not alike to adult mental illness and parents can tell what is normal and abnormal behaviour in their children.  If you are concerned that your child could be suffering from a mental illness then your first point of call is their GP.

But if your child does have a diagnosed mental illness it can be difficult for the child and parents alike.  It is important for the parents to be involved in their child’s treatment and to offer emotional support.  A child experiencing a mental illness can be frightful and confusing.  Children's development is vital for a healthy adult life and, if the mental illness takes hold too much and there is little support, it could affect their mental health into adulthood.  Here are some tips that could help both parents and child.

Talk to the school:  Let their teachers, and any supporting staff, know that your child has a mental illness.  If the teacher knows then they can monitor their behaviour and learning and possibly tailor their education for good and bad days.  It is important to allow the child to complete their education with minimal disruption, which will benefit in the long term.

Keep in the know with the doctor:  Always speak to your doctor if you are not sure about anything to do with your child’s health and treatment.  Make sure you are aware of what medication they are on (if any) and what therapy is being offered.  It will help to feel more in control.

Monitor them:  Make sure they are eating healthy as a balanced diet is essential for growth and development.  Keep an eye on their behaviour, are they acting differently than normal? 

Be there:  No matter if your child is throwing tantrums, crying, screaming or generally acting out, it could be a sign that they need some attention.  Forget the name calling and what they did, let them know that they will not be alone and that they can talk to their parents whenever they need to.  It does not have to be about mental illness, a chat about their day at school is enough.  Trips out to places they enjoy and the like is also a benefit.  A cuddle on the couch whilst watching a favourite TV show together is another example.

Listen to them:  Sometimes there can be subtle hints that all is not well.  Mentioning aches and pains, not feeling ‘right’ and negative comments could be a sign that they are experiencing a bad patch or something needs changing.  Your child knows when they are not well.

Tell them you love them:  There maybe days when the child feels useless, alone, scared, confused and all the above, simply let them know that they are loved by the whole family.  It is a relief to feel that your family will love you unconditionally, whether you are ill or not.

Never ever ignore the warning signs that your child could be suffering from a mental illness.  Simply burying your head in the sand will not make the problem go away, but make it much worse for the child.  Please don’t be afraid to ask the child what is wrong, or speak to their teachers to discuss their behaviour at school.  It is vitally important for the child!

As a member of an online support group I have come across young people, often as young as 13, experiencing anxiety, depression, bipolar and schizophrenia and often feeling alienated, alone and confused.  An adult experiencing a mental illness is tragic, but to hear a child suffering is heartbreaking.  A healthy childhood is paramount for healthy development into adulthood and their childhood cannot be robbed by mental illness.  But supportive parents could be the key to living happily and healthily.

There is plenty of support for parents who have children with a mental illness.  Mind, SANE and the Samaratans are three excellent support networks, as well as YoungMinds, Barnardos and the NSPCC.  Do not be afraid to ask for help!