A person's mental health develops in their childhood and teenage years. A child who grows up with good mental health, is less likely to suffer with mental health problems as an adult. Children and young adults with good mental health will perform much better in every area of their life. Unfortunately, the current society that many children live in has a negative impact on the growth of their mental health.
It is thought that as many as three children in every classroom, in every school has a diagnosed mental health disorder. As many as one in five youngsters under the age of 16 exhibit signs of an eating disorder. Sadly, one in twelve young children self-harm, which results in around 30,000 hospitalsations every year. The sad reality is that around two children under the age of fourteen will commit suicide every year. There is extensive help available for children and young people who suffer with a mental health disorder. However, it is often difficult to get the child or even in some cases their family to admit they may have a problem. Fear of being bullied or stereotyped often stops a young person from coming forward and asking for help with their feelings of depression.
Early intervention is key to helping a child or young person with a mental health disorder. Many adults who suffer from mental illness develop the condition in childhood. Investing in child mental health services is costly for the Government but it can save millions of pounds in the future. If you or someone you know has a child who you suspect may be suffering from a mental health disorder you can visit http://www.youngminds.org.uk/ for more information on how you can help them seek the appropriate help and treatment.
