For Immediate Release From NIMH!
All children are sad, anxious, irritable, or aggressive at times, and many find it occasionally challenging to sit still, pay attention, or interact with others. In most cases, these are just typical developmental phases. However, such behaviors may also indicate a more serious problem in some children.
What mental disorders can affect children?
Many mental disorders can begin in childhood. Examples include anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression and other mood disorders, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Early treatment can help children manage their symptoms and support their social and emotional well-being. Many adults reflect on how mental disorders affected their childhood and wish they had received help sooner.
What are the signs of mental health conditions in children?
Distinguishing between challenging behaviors and emotions that are a part of normal development and those that may be cause for concern can be hard. Consider seeking help if your child’s behavior or emotions last for weeks or longer, cause distress for your child or your family, or interfere with your child’s functioning at school, at home, or with friends. If your child’s behavior is unsafe, or if your child talks about wanting to hurt themselves or someone else, seek help immediately. Learn more about warning signs:
It can be tough to tell if troubling behavior in a child is just part of growing up or a problem that should be discussed with a health professional. But if there are behavioral signs and symptoms that last weeks or months, and if these issues interfere with the child’s daily life at home and at school, or with friends, you should contact a health professional.
Younger children may benefit from an evaluation and treatment if they:
Have frequent tantrums or are intensely irritable much of the time;
Often seem fearful or worried;
Complain about frequent stomachaches or headaches with no known medical cause;
Are in constant motion and cannot sit quietly (except when they are watching videos or playing video games);
Sleep too much or too little, have frequent nightmares, or seem sleepy during the day;
Are not interested in playing with other children or have difficulty making friends;
Struggle academically or have experienced a recent decline in grades;
Repeat actions or check things many times (for example, repeatedly checking that a door is locked) out of fear that something bad may happen;
Older children and adolescents may benefit from an evaluation if they:
Have lost interest in things that they used to enjoy;
Have low energy;
Sleep too much or too little, or seem sleepy throughout the day;
Have periods of highly elevated energy and activity and require much less sleep than usual;
Spend more and more time alone, and avoid social activities with friends or family;
Diet or exercise excessively, or fear gaining weight;
Engage in self-harm behaviors (such as cutting or burning their skin);
Smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs;
Engage in risky or destructive behavior alone or with friends;
Have thoughts of suicide;
Say that they think someone is trying to control their mind or that they hear things that other people cannot hear;
Mental illnesses can be treated. If you are a child or teen, talk to your parents, school counselor, or health care provider. If you are a parent and need help starting a conversation with your child or teen about mental health, find resources for families from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services.
Get Immediate Help
If you, your child, or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org . In life-threatening situations, call 911.
Learn more HERE!:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/chi... ********
Office for Disparities Research and Workforce Diversity Webinar Series: Cultural Strengths as Protection: Multimodal Findings Using a Community-Engaged Process
Overview
This webinar will present a conceptual framework for investigating the impact of cultural factors on mental health within American Indian communities. It will also present emerging findings from community-engaged research in this field. The framework hypothesizes how factors of engagement in traditional culture can protect against negative mental health outcomes. To study these factors, researchers apply multi-modal neuroscience techniques, especially electroencephalography (EEG) and event-related potentials (ERPs).
A critical component of this work is substantial engagement with community partners to inform research at each stage of the process. The presentation features community partners who are currently collaborating on mental health and neuroscience projects. Their dialogue will provide attendees with a community-centered perspective on mental health research, emphasizing the importance of integrating community input, knowledge, and experiences into the scientific discourse. The presentation will feature research from Evan White, Ph.D., that highlights the interplay between cultural practices and mental health within a neuroscience framework.
REGISTER NOW:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/gPu...
Posted By: agnes levine
Thursday, August 22nd 2024 at 3:58PM
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