Many adults often assume that only ‘grown-ups’ can suffer from mental health issuers such as depression or anxiety. What does a  child have to be worried and depressed about, right?

Wrong.

Any parent or person who works closely with children need to be aware that children can, sadly, suffer from mental health issues much in the same way an adult can. If you fall into this category,  it is important to know what warning signs may flag up should a child be struggling. There are many indicators, including things like drastic mood changes, weight gain/loss,  behavioural changes for no reason, etc.

 The sooner that a mental health disorder is diagnosed, the sooner the child will be able to get the help that they need.

Check out this infographic below:

Shockingly, cases of mental illness in children are far more common than you might think. In fact, 1 in 10 children and young people between the ages of 5 and 16 are currently suffering from a diagnosable mental health disorder.  More often than not, these symptoms it can be mistaken for simple naughtiness. When your taking care of a child or you foster a child, it can be even more difficult to know whether they are just being a ‘teenager’ or actually suffering.

The most important thing that you can do for a child is to speak to them ask them about their feelings and behaviour. A problem shared is often a problem halved, afterall.