Recognising, changes in a child’s wellbeing can be difficult, which is why it is always good to first check with your GP if you are concerned. Common disorders in young people are depression and anxiety.
Depression is more than just being sad or in a bad mood. These feelings are normal to a degree and it is an absence of positive emotions that is usually an indicator more than an absence of negative emotions. If you mostly feel miserable for more than about two weeks then a visit to your GP is a good first step, especially if you are no longer having as much social contact as you were or withdraw from participating in healthy activities that you enjoy.
Anxiety is worrying about the past or the future, now more than ever we might all be noticing some struggle with anxiety. Worrying about what will come next? who will be affected? Am I doing everything I can to keep everyone safe? You know what, if I am aware, then I am doing everything I can, so I take a deep breath and tell myself, this is something that is in my control, and I let it go.
The organisation Beyond Blue have a checklist for children that may help give an indication about whether your child may be presenting with these conditions.
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety-and-depression-checklist-k10
Things I know that can help & supports that are available:
- Mindfulness, yeah yeah everyone bangs on about this, but it is evidence based in its usefulness. Our brains are in overdrive preventing us from sleep, from being present with our children, from being present with ourselves. We take breathing for granted, mindfulness helps re-wire our brains to be present and acknowledge the stress we are under and not go into overdrive. Start with a bit size 1.5minutes a day and work your way up to more. I get my kids to use Smiling Mind https://www.smilingmind.com.au/ and I use insight timer – https://insighttimer.com/ both of these are free.
- Call people, friends, connect in ways you never thought you would, house party is huge at the moment, facetime, make that phone call you have been meaning to make to your Aunt/Uncle/Grandparent/old friend
- Youtube some cosmic yoga to do with the kids https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23VdtT0vQUY
That Mental Health Care plan you once got done, but didn’t use, use it – so many Mental Health Clinicians are practicing via video link or telephone now, don’t forget to look after yourself.