HomeBlogPatientSelf-Care Skills to Manage Mental Health in Children Self-Care Skills to Manage Mental Health in Children September 6, 2018Patient Mental disorders are strikingly common in children and are oftentimes severe. An estimated one-fourth of children and teens experience a mental disorder of some extent in any given year. Unlike adults, adolescents may not know how to begin advocating for their mental health. Therefore, it’s important to teach our youth self-care skills that act as precursors to good mental health. Self-care is a broad, yet important concept that can best be described as the mindset, activities, and habits we practice to combat stress, unhappiness, illness, depression and other negative emotions. However, when you live with a mental illness, self-care can sometimes feel unattainable. It’s important to note that lack of self-care is not due to laziness, rather, mental illnesses like depression merely leave you feeling physically and emotionally drained. Thus, before your child can begin self-care practices, you must acknowledge and understand your child’s emotional state. It’s important to keep an eye out for depression-like symptoms, such as: ➢ Interference with energy, concentration, sleep, and appetite ➢ Loss of interest in activities and schoolwork ➢ Feeling tired ➢ Giving up easily or withdrawing from friends or family ➢ Feeling worthless, rejected, or unloveable ➢ Thoughts of self-harm or suicide Once symptoms are detected, the first step towards self-care is to seek professional treatment. Doctors and other mental health professionals can diagnose depression and similar mood disorders in order to facilitate the next best steps to recovery. Make use of downloadable mental health materials that can help direct you and your child through uncharted territories when it comes to a diagnosis. For many doctors, medications are the first choice for treatment because of the high level of effectiveness. The most common type of antidepressant medication prescribed for children are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which affect levels of serotonin in the brain. However, finding the right remedy of medications can be a time-consuming process. Talk to your child’s doctor about genetic testing that analyzes DNA to better understand which medication can be most effective based on your genetic makeup. Although medications are an effective way to relieve symptoms of depression, they are not the be-all and end-all when it comes to treatment. Other self-care options can include therapy, exercise, dietary changes and communication, which can all be effective treatment options alone or when paired with medication. Consider the following self-care practices for your child: ➢ Communication and Support The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) encourages parents to teach their children how to talk about their feelings. Provide them with conversation cues such as, “I haven’t felt right lately and I don’t know what to do. Can I talk to you about it?” or “I’m having a really hard time lately, will you go with me to see someone?” The more you cultivate an environment of open communication and trust, the easier it is for children to be open to achieving help. ➢ Lifestyle Changes Regular exercise can be an effective approach for depression treatment. Exercise increases serotonin and endorphins – the neurotransmitters responsible for your happiness. Exercises as simple as going for a walk can be an easy and inexpensive way to boost your mood. Eating well is also important for both physical and mental health. Teaching children to eat well-balanced meals throughout the day will help keep their energy levels up and minimize mood swings. These tips offer children ways to problem solve when coping with depression and other mental illnesses if and when they struggle with reaching out for support. Being aware of symptoms and following best self-care practices are climactic in improving your child’s mental health. Thank you to Jumo Health for sharing this blog post. Our articles are for informational purposes only and are reviewed by our Medical Information team, which includes PharmDs, MDs, and PhDs. Do not make any changes to your current medications or dosing without consulting your healthcare provider. The GeneSight test must be ordered by and used only in consultation with a healthcare provider who can prescribe medications. As with all genetic tests, the GeneSight test results have limitations and do not constitute medical advice. The test results are designed to be just one part of a larger, complete patient assessment, which would include proper diagnosis and consideration of your medical history, other medications you may be taking, your family history, and other factors. If you are a healthcare provider and interested in learning more about the GeneSight test, please contact us at 855.891.9415. If you are a patient, please talk with your doctor to see if the GeneSight test may be helpful. Patient Which Mental Health Provider Should I Consider? A Symptom-Based Guide The support of a good healthcare provider can make all the difference when you’re struggling with your mental health. But how do you connect to one in a sea of ... Read more Patient One explanation for why we experience Side Effects? Understanding Your Genetic Response to Antidepressants Antidepressants often play an essential role in helping patients with their mental health conditions. But as many patients can attest, it’s frustrating when... Read more Patient Barriers at Every Turn: How Systemic and Social Factors Block Men from Mental Health Care Taking the important step of seeking care for mental health isn’t always an easy decision. 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Patient Which Mental Health Provider Should I Consider? A Symptom-Based Guide The support of a good healthcare provider can make all the difference when you’re struggling with your mental health. But how do you connect to one in a sea of ... Read more
Patient One explanation for why we experience Side Effects? Understanding Your Genetic Response to Antidepressants Antidepressants often play an essential role in helping patients with their mental health conditions. But as many patients can attest, it’s frustrating when... Read more
Patient Barriers at Every Turn: How Systemic and Social Factors Block Men from Mental Health Care Taking the important step of seeking care for mental health isn’t always an easy decision. Uncertainty about the need for care, social stigmas associated wi... Read more
Healthcare Provider Overcoming Side Effect Concerns: Leveraging Pharmacogenomic Insights to Inform Depression and Anxiety Medication Selection Whitnee Brown, a lifelong resident now practicing in Birmingham, Alabama has nearly an entire alphabet following her name, abbreviations for degrees and certifi... Read more
Patient Concerns about Mental Health Medication Side Effects Remain a Barrier to Getting Help for Those Diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety Lisa Roberts has raised a family, reached an impressively high level in her career, and was an anchor for her mother and other family members. When, within ... Read more
Patient Common Antidepressant Side Effects Taking an antidepressant can be an effective way to help treat a mental health condition like depression or anxiety. However, these medications can also cre... Read more
Patient MTHFR Mutations: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies MTHFR mutations—changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene—have gained increased attention in the medical community due to their potent... Read more
Patient Can an App Help Me Manage My Anxiety? Health and wellness smartphone apps have become so common that if you can name a health goal, desire or condition, you can probably find an app for it. N... Read more
Patient Black Trailblazers of Psychiatry and Mental Health: A Legacy of Healing and Advocacy As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to recognize a few individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of psychiatry and mental heal... Read more
Patient Mindful Moments: Tips for Anxiety If a well-meaning friend or family member has ever told you to “just breathe” when you’re feeling worked up or stressed out, you’d be forgiven if you felt l... Read more