The state of mental health for adolescents in the US is a critical issue that has garnered significant attention in recent years. Unfortunately, the mental health of younger children is on the decline as well. CDC data shows that around 1 in 6 children ages 2–8 have a diagnosed mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder. To address this issue, Newport Academy now offers residential and outpatient treatment for children ages 7–11.
As a parent, it’s tough to know whether your child’s behavior is a phase or a sign of a more serious problem that may require treatment. If your child is struggling with a mental health issue, it can have a significant impact on their physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. Therefore, being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health disorders in children is essential, so kids can get the help they need as early as possible.
Read on to learn some common mental health disorders in children and the signs and symptoms to look for. We’ll also share some practical steps you can take to support your child and navigate the challenges of mental health treatment with care and understanding.
Key Takeaways
- Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among young people ages 10–14.
- Primary barriers to children accessing the mental healthcare they need include parents’ lack of knowledge about mental health, stigma, and cost of treatment.
- When a child is showing ongoing signs of depression, trauma, anxiety, distress, or defiance, they may benefit from residential treatment.
- To meet the growing need for child mental health treatment, Newport now offers residential and outpatient services for children ages 7–11.
Child Mental Health Statistics
From a pandemic that disrupted every aspect of children’s lives, to modern-day cyberbullying, to technology addiction and the dangers associated with excessive social media use, the last few years have put a tremendous strain on the mental health of children. CDC data shows that ADHD, anxiety, behavior problems, and depression are the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children ages 3–17. Diagnoses for children in this age group include:
- ADHD (10 percent)
- Anxiety (9 percent)
- Behavior problems (9 percent)
- Depression (4 percent)
Moreover, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among young people ages 10–14. Alarmingly, suicide attempts are rising faster among Black youth than any other racial or ethnic group.
Mental Health Stats for Specific Child Populations
Here are more startling statistics from a new report, First Focus on Children:
- Suicide rates for Black children and youth increased from 2.55 per 100,000 in 2007 to 4.82 per 100,000 in 2017
- Black youth under age 13 are twice as likely to die by suicide
- Black males ages 5–11 are more likely to die by suicide compared with their white peers
Additional data shows the disparity in suicide rates for other minority groups.
- More than 40 percent of youth who identify as LGBTQ+, including more than half of all transgender and nonbinary youth, seriously considered suicide in the last year. And half of those youth could not access the mental healthcare they wanted.
- 31 percent of Native/Indigenous youth, 21 percent of Black youth, 21 percent of multiracial youth, 18 percent of Latinx youth, and 12 percent of Asian/Pacific Islander youth attempted suicide in the last year—compared to 12 percent of white youth.
Risk Factors for Child Mental Health Disorders
Recognizing the risk factors for mental health disorders in children is important for parents. If you are struggling to know whether your child’s behavior is typical or something more serious, consider your whether your child is subject to any of the following risk factors:
- Genetics and family history. A child who has a family member with a mental health disorder, such as anxiety or depression, may be at a higher risk of developing similar issues.
- Trauma. Children subjected to traumatic events, whether physical, emotional, or psychological, are at risk of developing conditions like PTSD or other mental health disorders. Chronic stress, which can result from ongoing difficulties at home, school, online, or within friend groups, can significantly impact a child’s mental health.
- Environment. A child’s surroundings can significantly impact their mental health. Around 1 in 6 kids live in poverty. These children are at a much higher risk of developing mental health issues than those living above the poverty line. Homelessness, unsafe or inadequate housing, or exposure to violence or bullying are also environmental factors affecting mental health.
- Family dynamics. Stressful family situations brought about by divorce, fighting in the home, or substance abuse by a parent, can deeply impact a child’s mental health.
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Common Mental Health Disorders in Children
Here are some of the most common childhood psychiatric disorders.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is a typical response to many situations. But ongoing, persistent worry that impacts a child’s daily functioning could be a sign of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety in young children may present as fear or worry, but also as extreme irritability and anger. Symptoms of anxiety can also include trouble sleeping, as well as physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, or stomachaches.
However, some anxious children may not show their symptoms outward. So it is important to know the different types of anxiety disorders and the symptoms to look for. Here are some common anxiety disorders in children:
- Panic disorder: Having repeated episodes of sudden, unexpected, intense fear accompanied by symptoms including a pounding heart, trouble breathing, or feeling dizzy, shaky, or sweaty
- Separation anxiety: Being afraid or distraught when away from parents
- Phobias: Extreme fear over specific things or situations (i.e., dogs, doctor)
- Social anxiety: Fearful of places where there are people, such as school, public restrooms
- Generalized anxiety disorder: Being very worried about the future and about bad things happening
Depression
Feeling sad, or having “the blues” is part of life, and nothing to be alarmed about. But if a child’s sadness lasts for more than two weeks and is accompanied by other common symptoms of depression, they should be evaluated by a mental health professional.
Examples of behaviors often seen in children with depression include:
- Feeling sad, hopeless, or irritable a lot of the time
- Not wanting to participate in things they once found enjoyable
- Changes in eating patterns–eating a lot more or a lot less than usual
- Showing changes in sleep patterns – sleeping a lot more or a lot less than normal
- Noticeable difference in energy levels
- Difficulty concentrating in school
- Decline in academic performance, grades
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Showing self-injury and self-destructive behavior
Childhood Conduct Disorder
Childhood conduct disorder is a type of disruptive behavior disorder (DBD) diagnosed in children and adolescents. It is characterized by severe aggression, violation of people and property, and defiance of rules and social norms. Behaviors of children with this disorder may include breaking the law, and can lead to serious consequences like arrest, injury, or harm to others.
Signs and symptoms of conduct disorder include:
- Lack of remorse about their actions
- Violation of the rights of others at home, in school, and with peers
- Violence or coercion toward peers, including sexual assault, threats, harassment, and bullying
- Damage or destruction of property or material goods, such as vandalism
- Theft and lying
- Hostility or mistreatment toward animals
- Breaking rules and social norms, including skipping school, staying out past curfew, or running away from home
- Imperviousness to punishment
Barriers to Mental Healthcare for Children
Unfortunately, only about 20 percent of children with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders receive care from a specialized mental health care provider. What keeps parents from accessing mental health treatment for children?
A systematic review of 53 qualitative and quantitative studies identified the primary reasons children are not accessing the mental healthcare they need. Nearly all studies (96 percent) indicated parents’ limited mental health knowledge and perceptions of seeking help as a reason for not seeking mental health treatment for their children.
Others barriers include stigma associated with mental healthcare (92 percent), lack of trust and concerns about confidentiality with the provider (68 percent), and cost of services (58 percent). Obstacles also included logistical factors, such as lack of time or transportation.
Ways to Support a Child Struggling with Mental Health
Knowing your child is suffering with their mental health can be overwhelming and scary. But there are ways you can support your child and assure them that together, you will find a path to healing.
- Listen without judgment
- Create a safe space for your child to tell you their worries, fears, and challenges
- Maintain regular, consistent routines
- Spend one-on-one time doing activities they enjoy
- Promote outdoor activities and exercise
- Keep school personnel aware of your child’s struggles
- Research and learn more about their mental health issues
Signs That a Child May Need Residential Treatment
While there are ways to support your child at home, mental health disorders do not go away on their own. Persistent, worsening symptoms require care from a multidisciplinary team of experts who specialize in children’s mental health. Residential treatment may be the best avenue for your child’s healing if they are exhibiting any of the following:
- Defiant behaviors, such as yelling and hitting parents, teachers, siblings, and classmates
- Significant changes in eating and sleeping patterns
- Extreme worrying and sadness
- Voicing thoughts of suicide
- Self-harm, including cutting or hitting oneself, banging their head against something, or digging nails into skin
- Regressing to early childhood behaviors, such as bedwetting, baby talk, and temper tantrums
Child Mental Health Treatment at Newport Academy
An increasing number of younger children need intensive mental healthcare, but finding high-quality residential treatment for this age group can be difficult. Newport Academy is addressing this need by expanding our programming to offer safe, effective, residential care for children ages 7–11. Additionally, Newport offers Partial Hospitalization Programs and Intensive Outpatient Programs for ages 7–11 in Orange County, California.
When a child is showing ongoing signs of depression, trauma, anxiety, distress, or defiance, they may need the support found in a residential program. Our whole-person, comprehensive approach addresses each child’s physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual needs. Newport’s programs for children help young people address primary mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD in a therapeutic environment. Our expert clinicians support children through modalities such as:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Experiential therapy, including art, equine, yoga and meditation, adventure options
- Individual and group therapy
- Family therapy
Begin the Healing Journey
We know that finding the right facility and level of care for your child, while navigating the complexities of insurance coverage can be a challenge. That’s why Newport continues to expand its in-network partnerships with insurance providers, to include TRICARE, BCBS, HealthPartners, First Choice Health, and more. Our staff is here 24/7 to guide you through each step of the process. Contact us for a free mental health assessment.
The Trevor Project
American Psychological Association 2024
First Focus on Children / Big Ideas 2023
Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2021; 30(2): 183–211.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
The Trevor Project
American Psychological Association 2024
First Focus on Children / Big Ideas 2023
Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2021; 30(2): 183–211.
