Resources

Occasional sadness is a normal part of growing up. But when children are sad, irritable, or no longer show interest and joy in things they used to, AND this occurs daily for 2 or more weeks is when it's more than just sadness and is a concern. 

symptoms of depression in children may include the following:

• Persistent sad mood, most of the day, nearly every day
• Loss of interest in hobbies/activities
• Feelings of guilt, helplessness
• Decreased energy, tired, feeling “slowed down”
• Restlessness or irritability
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, & making choices
• Insomnia or difficulty sleeping/staying asleep
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Engaging in self-harm
• Thoughts of death, suicide, or suicide attempts

Your child’s age and personality will determine how depression presents itself. But the biggest thing to look out for is a change in their typical behavior.

How can parents/guardians Help?

Parents have a vital role in supporting their kids through their struggles. Here are some ways to help.

• Build trust with your child by focusing on their feelings
• Listen & provide emotional support
• Encourage a healthy lifestyle
• Help your child feel connected to others
• Know that change is possible

The earlier depression and anxiety are identified and treated, the better the outcomes are for youth. Consider talking to your pediatrician about your concerns and/or consulting with a licensed therapist. You can also reach out to your child’s principal, school counselor, or the MCS mental health team for additional resources and help.

Fears & worries in kids are common and they can be protective in some ways. When your child’s everyday activities are interrupted by their fears or worries is when it becomes troublesome.

Some key signs of possible anxiety disorders in children are:

• Frequent need for reassurance
• Excessive & uncontrollable worry, especially about everyday situations
• Trouble sleeping, including falling asleep, nightmares, or waking up frequently.
• Avoidance behaviors, like reluctance to attend school (i.e. significant absences/tardies), social events, or try new activities
• Physical symptoms, such as frequent stomach aches, headaches, or nausea with no clear medical cause
• Excessive clinging to parents/guardians
• Irritability or frequent meltdowns over minor issues
• Perfectionism or fear of making mistakes
• Difficulty concentrating, often appearing distracted or preoccupied

to help determine if your child's fears/worrying and behaviors are a concern, think f-i-s-h.

• Frequency: How often do they get anxious?
• Intensity/Severity: Is their anxious behavior intense or severe? Are they having meltdowns or tantrums? Do they refuse to leave their room/home?
• How long: How long have they been experiencing a level of anxiety that concerns you or makes the child upset?

how can parents help?

Parents have a vital role in supporting their kids through their struggles. Here are some ways to help.

• Validate their feelings -- we may not know why they feel they way they do, but they need to feel heard.
• Help them manage their symptoms -- seek professional help, if needed.
• Set realistic expectations
• Talk through worries
• Model healthy ways of handling anxiety -- breathing exercises, physical activity/outdoor play, creative outlets (i.e. drawing, journaling, singing), consistent routines & provide warnings ahead of any foreseen changes, and mindfulness/positive thinking. 

The earlier anxiety is identified and treated, the better the outcomes are for youth. Consider talking to your pediatrician about your concerns and/or consulting with a licensed therapist. You can also contact your child's principal, school counselor, or the MCS mental health team for additional resources and help. 

What is non suicidal self injury?

Non suicidal self-injury (NSSI) refers to intentionally hurting yourself without the intention of dying. This can include behaviors like cutting, burning, scratching, or hitting yourself. Many teens engage in self-harm as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions like sadness, anger, anxiety, or numbness. In fact, research shows that around 17-30% of adolescents have engaged in self-injury at least once. NSSI behavior often occurs between ages 12 and 15. Research indicates girls are more likely to engage in NSSI than boys during adolescence. However, boys also engage in self-injury, sometimes choosing different methods, such as hitting or burning.

Adolescents who self-harm often have higher rates of mental health concerns, including depression and anxiety. Some risk factors include history of trauma/abuse, peer conflict, negative thought patterns, unable to regulate emotions, and the presence of other mental health conditions.

Why do people self harm?

Self-harm is a way some people try to manage feelings they can’t express or handle in other ways. Common reasons include:

• Emotional pain: Feeling hopeless, worthless, or trapped.
• Difficulty expressing feelings: Some people find it hard to talk about what they’re going through.
• Relief from stress: The physical pain can momentarily distract from emotional or mental pain.
• Control: In situations where things feel out of control, hurting oneself might feel like one way to regain control.

signs of self-harm/injury may include the following:

• Unexplained cuts, burns, or bruises on the body.
• Wearing long sleeves or pants, even in warm weather, to cover injuries.
• Frequently going to the bathroom or isolating after emotional situations.
• Expressing feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or despair.
• Showing signs of emotional distress that don’t seem to have a clear explanation.

Tips for supporting your child:

Supporting a child who engages in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) can be challenging for parents, but a compassionate and informed approach can make a difference.

• Stay calm and be compassionate. It can be alarming to learn that your child is self-harming, but reacting with anger, panic, or judgement may increase their sense of shame or isolation. Instead, approach them with empathy and a calm demeanor, which will encourage open communication.
• Listen without judging. Let your child talk about their experiences and feelings without interrupting, offering advice, or expressing disapproval. Try to listen openly, allowing them to feel safe in sharing their emotions and reasons for self-harming. Validating their emotions, even if you don’t fully understand, can build trust.
• Understand the purpose behind self-injury. Self-injury is often a poor coping mechanism for intense emotions, stress, or a way to gain a sense of control. By educating yourself on self-injury you can approach the topic with more empathy and less misunderstanding. Knowing that this behavior may not be attention-seeking can help in responding supportively.
• Consider seeking professional help together. Self-harm is often a sign of underlying emotional struggles that can benefit from professional support. Offer to help them find a therapist experienced in working with young people and NSSI. Therapy can provide a safe space for them to explore their feelings, learn healthy coping strategies, and build resilience. Family counseling can offer parents insights and strategies as well.

Consider talking to your pediatrician about your concerns and/or consulting with a licensed therapist. You can also reach out to your child’s principal, school counselor, or the MCS mental health team for additional resources and help.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death between ages 15-19, and the number one leading cause of death for ages 14-15.

• The warning signs of suicide are not always obvious.
• Pay attention to your teen’s moods and behavior.
• 22% of high school students reported having seriously considered suicide in the past year (CDC, 2023).

Research indicates there is a large gap between youth who think about suicide (approximately 1 in 10) and those who die by suicide (1 in 10,000). That means there are approximately 1,000 youth struggling with thoughts of suicide for each 1 youth who is lost by suicide. That means there are 1,000 opportunities for us to reach and support those struggling.

How to Recognize if Your Child is At-Risk

It starts with acknowledging that suicide is a reality for today’s youth - even those that come from good homes. It’s not about parenting skills - at its core, it’s a sign that a child is in a vulnerable place. 

Signs that your child may be at risk include the following F-A-C-T-S:

• FEELINGS like expressing hopelessness about the future, seeming sad and unhappy, being anxious and worried, or getting angry and aggressive.
• ACTIONS like withdrawing from activities or friendships, doing risky, dangerous things like drinking & driving, or researching ways to die online.
• CHANGES in the normal mood and behavior of your child. In some ways, this may be what is easiest for you to notice. If you observe changes that concern you, reach out to the others in your child’s life (i.e., teachers, friends, religious leaders) to see if they’ve also noticed changes.
• THREATS are sometimes direct like “I’d rather be dead.” They can also be vague like “I just don’t care about anything anymore.”
• SITUATIONS are events that can serve as triggers for the suicidal behavior. These can include things like getting into trouble at home or school or with the law, experiencing some type of loss or facing a life change that the child finds overwhelming.

How can you help? 

First don't worry that you are overreacting. Take your observations seriously--even if your child is not thinking about suicide, there is no risk in asking. Research has proven that asking about suicide cannot plant the idea in someone’s mind. It can actually be a relief if the person has been keeping suicidal thoughts secret--it exposes them to the light of day and begins the process of getting help.

How do you bring up the subject?

Be Direct! Say something like: “I’ve noticed you don’t seem to be acting like yourself lately. Some things have concerned me.” At this point, mention those changes you’ve noticed, then follow up with a statement like: “I’ve heard that sometimes when kids are having these kinds of behaviors, they may think life isn’t worth living anymore. Have you ever thought about taking your life?”
LISTEN to the answer! If your child responds affirmatively, ask them to tell you more by using the following ideas:

• When they think about suicide
• How often they think about it
• If they have a plan or have practiced it

If your child answers yes to these questions, especially the last one, you need to take your child for help immediately by calling 911 or going to your nearest emergency room. It’s also important you immediately remove all the things in your home that could be dangerous or deadly. Keep them locked up or somewhere outside the home until the risk of suicide has passed.

If you are concerned about your child's safety, talk to your child and consider talking to your pediatrician about your concerns and/or consulting with a licensed therapist. You can also reach out to your child’s principal, school counselor, or the MCS mental health team for additional resources and help.

Children all go through stages of testing boundaries, expressing their emotions, and developing their self-regulation skills which can lead to problematic behaviors. For example, tantrums in toddlers or occasional defiance in school-aged children are often part of normal development. However, when behaviors are extreme, persistent, or interfere significantly with daily life, such as learning, relationships, or overall well-being, they may signal deeper concern.

If a child's behavior has reached an extreme, it can often times be linked to mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or mood disorders. For example, a child dealing with anxiety may have an outburst in class due to overwhelming feelings and emotions they are not yet able to articulate. Similarly, a child with unresolved trauma might be aggressive, withdrawn, or defiant in class.

Understanding that these behaviors can stem from mental health challenges is important for understanding, offering the appropriate support, and aiding in addressing the root causes rather than focusing on the observable behaviors.

examples of behaviors that may be related to mental health concerns:

• Frequent mood swings, such as sudden bursts of anger or crying.
• Social withdrawal, avoiding friends, family, or group activities.
• Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks, often leading to frustration or poor performance.
• Excessive irritability or defensiveness in interactions.
• Disruptive behaviors, such as yelling, interrupting, or acting out.
• Unexplained changes in sleep patterns, such as sleeping too much or too little.
• Risk-taking behaviors, such as engaging in dangerous activities without regard for consequences.
• Physical complaints like headaches or stomachaches with no medical cause.
• Frequent absences or reluctance to attend school or work.
• Expressions of hopelessness or statements indicating low self-worth.

If you are concerned about your child's behaviors or mental health, consider talking to your pediatrician about your concerns and/or consulting with a licensed therapist. You can also reach out to your child’s principal, school counselor, or the MCS mental health team for additional resources and help.