Imagine a 7-year-old who washes their hands obsessively, worried about staying clean and healthy, or a 12-year-old anxious about safety after overhearing troubling news. These are real-life challenges, as observed by child psychologist Iha Prakash.

When asked about the causes of this increase in mental illnesses among children, Iha points to the pandemic as a major factor. “During the pandemic, children couldn’t socially develop fully due to limited interactions and online learning. To support their mental well-being in such times, it’s on the parents to create a stable, predictable environment at home to support their children’s mental well-being.”

But the pandemic is just one of many factors. Children absorb much of what they observe in their surroundings. Their mental health can be influenced by the emotional environment at home. Creating a calm, supportive environment can help reduce their stress and model positive behaviors. 

Currently, around  50 million Indian children, including adolescents, experience mental disorders. One in seven children aged 10–19 is affected, representing up to 13% of the global disease burden in this age group.

There are multiple factors at play here. 

In this post, we’ll break down what mental illness in children really means, how to spot early signs of distress and the best ways to support and treat young minds. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, this guide will help you understand and respond to children’s mental health needs in simple and practical ways.

Understanding your child’s mental health

Good mental health is crucial for healthy child development. It helps build positive social, emotional, behavioral, thinking, and communication skills. Moreover, it lays the foundation for improved mental health and well-being in the future. 

While the importance of mental health in children is clear, recognizing the signs of poor mental health in them can be challenging.

How to spot the signs of poor mental health in children 

Recognizing mental health conditions in children is certainly difficult. However, early detection is possible. 

Here are some critical warning signs to watch for, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):

• Excessive mood swings: Extreme mood changes affecting school or relationships.
• Extreme worries: Persistent worry or a sense of impending doom that disrupts daily activities.
• Prolonged sadness or withdrawal: Lasting sadness or withdrawal from regular activities, including frequent crying, lack of motivation, and feelings of hopelessness, especially if it persists for over two weeks.
• Unexplained fear: Overwhelming fear without an apparent reason, often accompanied by physical symptoms like rapid heartbeats, discomfort, or fast breathing.
• Behavioral changes: Noticeable changes in personality, behavior, or sleep habits, such as insomnia or increased aggression.
• Difficulty concentrating: Trouble focusing or staying attentive in school, leading to poor academic performance.
• Self-harm or suicidal thoughts: Any discussion about or signs of self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or behaviors.
• Engagement in high-risk behaviors: Participation in dangerous or harmful activities without regard for one’s safety.
• Eating disorders: Noticeable changes in eating habits, using laxatives, or vomiting to lose weight.
• Substance abuse: Signs of repetitive drug or alcohol use.

Common mental health illnesses in children 

While generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and clinical depression can occur in children, other conditions tend to be more common. 

Autism: Look for signs such as difficulty maintaining eye contact, lack of response to their name, and repetitive behaviors.

ADHD and conduct disorder: These conditions often manifest as difficulty focusing, hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, and aggressive or rule-breaking tendencies.

Developmental delays: Look for challenges in expressing themselves or understanding others, impacting social interaction and academic performance.

The leading causes of poor mental health

Statistics released by the World Health Organization suggest that the average suicide rate in India is 10.9 for every one lakh people. What lies beneath this stat? 

While the stigma around mental health has decreased, it hasn’t completely faded. Parents are becoming more open to addressing mental health issues, especially due to social media awareness and improved mental health services. While accepting a diagnosis can be challenging for many, early understanding and proactive steps can lead to better outcomes. The pandemic limited children’s social development due to reduced interactions and online learning. To support mental well-being, parents can create a stable, predictable home environment.

Iha Prakash also highlights the importance of improving mental health literacy. She notes that increased awareness among new parents has led to early detection of developmental delays in infants and young children. However, more needs to be done to educate the broader public about conditions that typically manifest later in a child’s life.

The role of schools

Schools play an important role in identifying and addressing mental health issues. Many private schools now offer counselors and mental health programs, helping in early identification, increased referrals, and greater awareness. 

Dr. Reena Parekh, a certified child psychologist and a mental health advocate, points out that the lack of quality time spent with children is a significant contributor to the rise in mental health issues.

“The number of children seeking professional help has increased, especially after the pandemic. Parents lead busy lives and often fail to sit with their children and talk about how their day went,” she says. Children need to be attended to as lack of communication can leave them feeling isolated and unsupported, exacerbating mental health concerns.

Ways to support a child with mental health issues

Some of the most effective ways to nurture your child’s mental well-being are:  

Utilize play: Encourage activities like pretend play, outdoor games, and sensory play for emotional growth.

Stable home environment: Offer a secure, loving environment with consistent routines. 

Observe behavior: Consider your child’s reactions in various situations to offer them support. For example, if your child shows a talent for sports, enrolling them in relevant activities can foster growth and confidence.

Good mental health is about cultivating healthy habits—like sharing and acknowledging feelings, correcting unhealthy thinking patterns, showing empathy, and building resilience.

Dr. Iha suggests following these practices:  

Home environment:

• Nutrition: Offer balanced meals and limit sugary, processed foods.
• Physical activity: Encourage outdoor play and sports.
• Emotional support: Create a nurturing environment where children feel safe to express their feelings.

Schools:

• Physical education: Integrate PE and sports into the curriculum.
• Mental health education: Reduce stigma and teach coping strategies.
• Support services: Provide access to counselors and mental health professionals.

General:

• Media literacy: Educate parents and children about managing screen time and understanding online content. 
• Professional training: Ensure ongoing education for teachers and healthcare providers on child health and development.

Nurturing a child’s mental health is an ongoing journey that requires attention, understanding, and support from both home and school environments. By recognizing the signs early and fostering healthy habits, we can help our children grow into resilient, emotionally balanced individuals. If you’re looking for professional guidance, MyndStories offers a curated list of therapists to support your child’s well-being.