Why Early Intervention is Critical in Children's Mental Health

If you find parenting hard, you are far from alone. We are in the midst of a children’s mental health crisis. That means that your child may be struggling with their mental health, which makes them harder to parent, OR, you are helping them navigate challenges related to Mental Health problems of their peers or others in your community.

We are in the midst of a Mental Health Crisis and the need for early intervention cannot be overstated. Mental health disorders affect one in six children between the ages of 6 and 17, according to the World Health Organization. Approximately 1 in 5 children and youth in Ontario have a mental health problem, according to a report from Children's Mental Health Ontario. Furthermore, according to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, 70% of mental health problems have their onset in childhood or adolescence, and go untreated for an average of 11 - ELEVEN years.

When mental health problems are not addressed in childhood, they can impact important aspects of child development, persist into adulthood and have long-term impacts on individuals and society. Mental health problems can affect children's cognitive, emotional, and social development, leading to difficulties in academic performance, social relationships, and overall quality of life. 

Early intervention in children's mental health is crucial to prevent mental health problems from escalating and persisting into adulthood. Studies show that children who receive early intervention for mental health problems have better long-term outcomes, such as improved school performance, fewer behavioural problems, and reduced risk of substance abuse. 

As a Mental Health Professional, it’s no surprise to me that research shows that up to 70% of teens diagnosed with mental health problems actually started experiencing symptoms in childhood. The average delay between onset of symptoms and receiving treatment is 11 years. Can you imagine suffering for 11 years before receiving help? 

As parents and caregivers, there are several ways we can support children's mental health and wellness.

Firstly, paying attention to changes in behaviour is really important. If a child suddenly becomes withdrawn, irritable, or starts having difficulty sleeping, eating, or playing, it may be a sign of a mental health problem. Even if there hasn’t been a sudden change, if your intuition is telling you that something is wrong, listen to it, and get it checked out.

Encouraging open communication is also important. Create a safe and supportive environment where your children feel comfortable talking about their thoughts and feelings. Encourage them to express themselves through art, writing, or other creative outlets. Promoting healthy habits such as physical activity, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep can also have a positive impact on mental health.

If you suspect that your child may be experiencing mental health problems, seeking professional help is vital. Unfortunately, mental health problems in children often go unnoticed or untreated. 

As a Parent myself, I completely understand why many mental health problems go unnoticed in so many families. We’re in the midst of a Mental Health Crisis. At a time when mental health problems are so common, it’s easy to see symptoms or behaviour in your child and then see the same symptoms and behaviour in other children in your social circle, and think it must be a normal part of development. To make things even more confusing, there are a lot of behaviours in children that are concerning for some parents but that are a completely normal part of development! 

At Attuned Families we are big on Prevention and Early Intervention. Why? Because we know that longer Mental Health concerns go untreated, the worse they get, and the harder they get to treat. Now it’s never too late - really - no matter how sever the problem, there is help - but if you have the opportunity to intervene early, do it. 

Many parents ask us “how do I know if we need support?”  We encourage parents to listen to their intuition. If you’re feeling concerned, but unsure of whether you child is just being a child, or if a mental health challenge is developing, we encourage you to get it checked out with a Mental Health Professional, the same way you would get a potential medical problem checked out with your family doctor. As part of our commitment to Prevention and Early Intervention, we offer Mental Health check ups for children and families. These check ups can either give you peace of mind, that there are no red flags present, or they can detect concerns and you can intervene early, making treatment faster and more effective, and avoiding months or years of suffering for your family. 

Mental health problems affect a significant proportion of children and can have a significant impact on their lives if left untreated. Yet, less than 20% of children and youth struggling with their Mental Health receive appropriate treatment.  As parents and caregivers, we can play a crucial role in supporting children's mental wellness by paying attention to changes in behaviour, encouraging open communication, promoting healthy habits, and seeking professional help when needed. 

If this information has helped you better understand how to support the mental health and well-being of your children and your family, please share it. Let's work together to ensure that our children have the support they need to thrive, and slowly but surely put an end to the Mental Health Crisis.