The sooner, the better
In the wake of World Mental Health Day, our charity partner, Action for Children, is sharing vital information to help you spot any tell-tale signs should you become concerned about your child’s mental health.
There are lots of changes in the behaviour in young people as they grow up. While many of these come with the territory of teenage life, altogether, they could be pointing to mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. If your child is showing these signs they will need further support with the help of your GP or local support services.
Action for Children's M.A.S.K acronym is a simple symptoms checker, helping you understand the signs and behaviours that could point to a child or young person needing support to maintain their mental wellbeing through their teenage years and into adulthood.
- M is for Mood - They get excessively irritable, argumentative or aggressive towards you. They may blame you if things go wrong. Watch out for sleeping and eating patterns changing
- A is for Actions - They suddenly appear especially bored, lonely or withdrawn or they start to get into trouble. Watch out for signs of bullying, alcohol, drugs and other forms of self-harm
- S is for Social - Losing interest in friends and other things they liked to do or missing school are common warning signs. Check out how much time they’re spending on phones and social media
- K is for Keep talking - Refusing to talk about how they’re feeling is common. But keep listening and keep trying. When they do open up, make sure they know there’s someone there who really cares. Help is on hand for you too.
If you suspect something isn’t right, please visit www.actionforchildren.org.uk/sooner for more information on how to understand some of the feelings your child is experiencing. You can also find coping mechanisms and techniques used by Action for Children's Blues Busters, and other helpful links.
