Mental health is a positive state characterized by resilience, productivity, appropriate social behavior, and happiness. Children who exhibit good mental health do well in school.

Studies show that most people who will develop mental health disorders experience symptoms by age 14. Identifying these early signs and providing appropriate supports can improve the child’s life, lesson worsening symptoms, and improve mental health in the future. Universal prevention programs are effective at addressing many negative outcomes, from bullying to absenteeism to depression, and improving positive outcomes, like increased connection among families, schools, and communities. The research on the effectiveness of prevention and early intervention shows that acting early improves the lives of children and their families now and has effects that can last for decades.

Common Mental Health Disorders

• Attention Deficit Disorder/ Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post-Traumatic stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Depression
• Anxiety Disorder
• Eating Disorders
• Bipolar Disorder

Resources

• https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/basics.html
• https://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/issues/childrens-mental-health

Desrochers, John E., Kappan Magazine; kappanmagazine.org; December 2014/January 2015; V96 N4; pgs. 34-39

Sources

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/mental-illness-in-children/art-20046577
• https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/symptoms.html

How to communicate effectively with young people who may be experiencing mental health challenges:

Promotion & Prevention

The goal of mental health promotion is to encourage and increase protective factors and healthy behaviors that can help prevent mental disorders and reduce risk factors that can lead to the development of a mental disorder. This means focusing on creating an environment that supports mental health and allows youth to adopt healthy lifestyles.

Mental health can be promoted through

• Early childhood interventions (e.g., home visits for pregnant mothers, pre-school psychosocial activities);
• Providing support for children through skills building programs, child and youth development programs, etc.;
• Providing programs targeted at at-risk youth affected by conflict, trauma, etc.;
• Providing violence prevention programs

Prevention efforts are aimed at reducing the occurrence of mental health disorders through decreasing risk exposure and strengthening coping mechanisms.

• Identify evidence-based programs to provide a positive climate and promote skills for dealing with bullying, conflict, solving problems, developing healthy relationships, engaging in activities to prevent suicide and substance abuse, etc.
• Develop early interventions services for students in need of additional supports such as skill groups to deal with grief, anger, anxiety, sadness, etc.
• Develop an organizational culture where staff are trained to recognize the early warning signs of mental health issues with students.
• Identify student and family supports and resources in your area.
• Develop a referral process to ensure that all students have equal access to services and supports.

Resource: https://youth.gov/youth-topics/youth-mental-health/mental-health-promotion-prevention

Train staff in Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour course that gives people the skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it does build mental health literacy, helping the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness. Contact Dianna Bailey-Miller at baileymiller@marshall.edu for training information.

Resource:  https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/

• https://helpandhopewv.org/ – West Virginia families and communities along with the rest of the nation continue to face the public health crisis of substance use disorder, but together we can restore our families and communities.
• https://helpandhopewv.org/teens-families.html – Parents and caregivers – you can influence whether your child uses alcohol or drugs. It is crucial that you start talking with your children about alcohol and drugs well before the teen years. The earlier a person starts using drugs or alcohol, the more likely they are to develop substance use disorders.
• https://stigmafreewv.org/ – Learn about the types of stigma experienced by people with substance use disorder. People who experience stigma are less likely to seek help or treatment. We are ALL part of the solution.
• https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/ – Please note that this site has an array of resources for almost type of experience: family homelessness, foster care, dealing with divorce, resilience, traumatic experiences, and many more.