For Parents: Mental Illness and Your Child

Just the thought that your child is struggling with their mental health can seem like a crisis. Know that you are not alone, and there are people who can and want to help with support, information and resources.

It's important to know what to look for, when to worry and how to respond.

(For information on young children (up to age 13) and mental health, visit NAMI.org.)

Having a mental illness is not a choice, a weakness, or a character flaw. It's not something that just “passes” or can be “snapped out of” with will power. It does not mean that a person is broken or that they, or their family, did something “wrong.”

Learn as much as you can about mental health conditions. Having a better understanding of what your child may be experiencing can help you better support them.

‍See NAMI Jacksonville programs for families and caregivers.

• ‍"Can you tell me more about what is happening? How are you feeling?"
• "Have you had feelings like this in the past?"
• "Sometimes you need to talk to an adult about your feelings. I'm here to listen. How can I help you feel better?"
• "Do you feel like you want to talk to someone else about how you're feeling?"
• "I'm worried about your safety. Can you tell me if you have thoughts about harming yourself or others?"

• Feeling very sad or withdrawn or easily irritated for more than two weeks.
• Having intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily functioning and activities.
  
• Trying to harm or kill themselves, or making plans or expressing thoughts about doing so. (Learn about suicide prevention)
• Getting in fights or wanting to hurt others.
• Changes in sleep or appetite.
• Not eating, throwing up, or using laxatives to make themselves lose weight.
• Using drugs or alcohol. (Learn about substance use disorders)

• Experiencing sudden overwhelming fear, impending doom or physical symptoms, such as rapid heart rate, hyperventilation, dizziness or nausea.
• Believing they must repeat certain thoughts (obsessions) or behaviors (compulsions) to prevent something bad from happening.
• Experiencing extreme difficulty controlling behavior, putting themselves in physical danger or causing problems in school.
• Having severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships.
• Showing drastic changes in behavior or personality.
• Changes in school performance.

• Different types of mental health care professionals provide different kinds of help. Some prescribe and monitor medication, and others provide therapy and counseling. They also may work in different settings.
  
  Learn more about types of mental health care professionals and their areas of training and expertise.
• Treatment for mental illness varies by diagnosis and by person. Even people with the same diagnosis will have different needs, goals and objectives for treatment. It’s important to be informed, and to work with your child's mental health care provider to determine which approach will work best for your child.
  
  Learn more about treatment options for mental health conditions.