If You’re Concerned About Your Child’s Mental Health, Where Do You Begin?
Currently, anxiety and depression are on the rise among young people in unprecedented ways. “American adolescence is undergoing a drastic change,” writes Matt Richtel in a series about mental health for The New York Times. “Three decades ago, the gravest public health threats to teenagers in the United States came from binge drinking, drunken driving, teenage pregnancy and smoking. These have since fallen sharply, replaced by a new public health concern: soaring rates of mental health disorders.” Rates of emergency room visits for self-harm have more than doubled for girls ages 10 to 14, according to psychiatrist and researcher Thomas Insel in an interview for The New York Times. During COVID-19, the incidence of depression and anxiety symptoms among children and adolescents have also doubled. And when it comes to young adults, three out of five (60%) college students reported being diagnosed with a mental health condition by a professional, the most common afflictions being anxiety and depression, according to a survey done by Fortune.
If You’re a Parent Who’s Wondering How to Support Your Child Who Might Be Struggling, We Are Here For You.
At The Midtown Practice, our experienced clinicians can help you identify and treat mental health problems in children as young as six years old. Sometimes it’s hard to know if your child or teen just going through a hard phase that will pass, or something more serious. We’re here to help you distinguish between growing pains and problems that should be discussed with a health professional. School can be very stressful for children, whether it’s completing homework, studying for tests, making new friends, or navigating relationships with teachers. Early mental health support can help your child before their struggles interfere with other parts of life.
Between our child and adolescent therapists at The Midtown Practice, we treat children as young as six years old. We are also LGBTQIA-affirming, and our therapists believe that everyone deserves a safe, nonjudgmental space to be seen and heard.
How Do You Know When to Call a Therapist?
Perhaps your child’s school has reached out to you, and you want to get a second opinion. Or your child has done some neuropsychological testing and you’d like more support. Maybe you’ve noticed that your child is experiencing one more of the symptoms above. Research shows that early diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions can be crucial in preventing more severe and long-lasting issues.
To request a 15-minute complimentary consultation to assess what’s going on, if a therapist can help, and who might be the right fit, please contact us here.
Recent Comments