Children & Young People
Children and Young People suffer mental health problems too (1 in 5). Some conditions have an onset in childhood, such as ADHD / ADD and related conditions Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Tourette Syndrome, and Autism/Aspergers
Other conditions like Obsessional Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar Affective Disorder (Manic Depression), Depression, Anxiety, Eating Disorders and Schizophrenia can affect young people, although the symptoms may appear slightly different to the adult version. (See links under the relevant conditions for more information, or visit the general young people related links below)
Young children particularly, but also older children and teenagers may have difficulty expressing their feelings, thoughts and anxieties. They are also more likely to be confused about how they feel and why, and less able to ask for help.
Parental Mental Illness can also cause problems
Family or friends of the young person, are often the first to pick up on any problems having observed changes in their behaviour, such as:
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moodiness |
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temper |
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crying a lot |
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sleep problems |
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lying |
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not talking to people or going out with friends |
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eating more or less than usual |
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irritable |
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giving up hobbies |
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arguing |
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feeling lazy, bored or tired |
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not wanting to go out |
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stealing or getting into trouble |
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not doing well at school |
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not looking after themselves |
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low self-esteem |
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acting recklessly |
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skipping meals |
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drinking alcohol or using drugs |
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refusing to go to school or truanting |
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preferring to be alone |
There could be any number of reasons of the change in behaviour/mental health. Some examples may include:
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family problems |
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school pressure e.g. exams |
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emotional problems |
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peer pressure |
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sexual problems |
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alcohol/drugs |
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abuse |
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change in home circumstance |
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bereavement |
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ill family member |
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relationship problems |
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mental health problem (see some conditions above) |
Links
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Young Minds |
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RU-OK.com |
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CBT self help resources |
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Guernsey Telephone Numbers and Support |
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ChildLine 0800 1111 - free counselling for all children & young people |
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Samaritans 0345 909090 |
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Anti-Bullying Campaign 0207 378 1446 |
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Carers Line 0207 490 8818 |
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Youth Access 0208 772 9900 |
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Careline 0208 524 1177 |
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NSPCC National Child Protection Helpline 0800 800 500 |
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Eating Disorders Association 01603 765050 |
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Brook Advisory Centres 0207 713 9000 counselling on emotional and sexual problems |
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Advice Advocacy 0800 616101 for young people in local authority or foster care |
Also check under the various conditions for sites specific to young people
Self-Help Books for Mental Health
I do not endorse any of the above links - I have not checked the whole content of each site. In most cases I have only visited their Home Page
17 May 2008
Now Play This A Child's War 8 in a Bar
