About half of all mental health disorders begin by early adolescence. Sometimes, the onset can be much earlier, even among young children.
This means that it’s essential to look out for the signs that a young person is facing challenges in their mental health from a young age. Early interventions are associated with better outcomes, so the sooner you seek support, the better. Seeking treatment early also goes some way to preventing mental health issues from affecting a young person’s development and helps to secure their well-being in the future.
There are several types of interventions that can support young people to manage and recover from mental illness. One of the most common interventions available is therapy. People often have a conception of therapy as a one-to-one conversation, but it can take many different forms and be adapted to suit young children. This includes group therapy, art therapy, and somatic therapy.
This blog offers information on therapy for young people, how it works, and when to seek it.
What Is Counselling or Therapy?
Therapy (also known as counselling or psychotherapy) is a kind of treatment that usually involves talking about experiences, thoughts and emotions. Sometimes therapy uses forms of non-verbal communication instead, by expressing thoughts and feelings through music, art, or other creative tools.
Therapy can help a young child to understand what is going on in their life and inner world. It can also give them tools to cope with the difficult thoughts, emotions, and other challenges they may be facing.
What Types of Therapy Are Available?
There are several types of therapy available for young people. You might want to explore different options and avenues to find the most suitable treatment and combine different approaches. It can help to explore types of therapy alongside a professional who can offer expert insight and advice.
Some of the types of therapy available for young children include:
- talking therapies like cognitive-behavioural therapy
- music therapy
- art therapy
- play therapy
- family therapy
When Should I Take My Child to See a Therapist?
Parents often hesitate to take their children to see a therapist. They may feel like it’s a big step to take or worry that they will be blamed for their child’s experiences. Some worry that the therapist, other parents, or schools might judge them as parents.
In reality, many young children receive and benefit from therapy. Mental health issues can develop for many reasons, and therapists are there to support you to make things better.
It’s not always clear whether therapy is the best treatment option for a young person or what kind of therapy they would benefit from the most. It’s often a good idea to first visit a GP or a mental health professional like a psychologist, who can assess your child’s needs and work with you to determine the best kind of support for your child.
What Are the Signs That A Child is Facing Mental Health Challenges?
It’s not always easy to notice when a child is living with or at risk of developing a mental health disorder.
Sometimes, the first signs are changes in behaviours, especially eating and sleeping patterns. They may start sleeping a lot more or less than usual or have dramatic changes in appetite. While it’s normal for children to change their sleeping and eating habits as they move through different phases of development, significant changes can be a sign that something isn’t right.
Other signs include becoming more withdrawn and isolated, experiencing periods of hyperactivity, or acting more impulsively. Behavioural problems, including defiant or aggressive behaviours, can also be signs that a young person requires mental health support.
Some children may communicate difficult thoughts and emotions to their parents, like if they are feeling sad, anxious, or facing problems at school. It’s important to maintain regular open conversations with your child about their feelings. If emotional or behavioural problems don’t improve with time, it’s usually a sign that you should seek professional support.
If a child isn’t open about their feelings but you’re concerned about their behaviours, you should try to start a conversation with them. Ask open questions about how they are feeling, stay non-judgmental, and let them know that you love, care for, and want to support them. It can help to use pictures or write down words to help express emotions.
Keep trying to communicate, even if they don’t want to talk at first. You could also see if they prefer to talk with another adult in their life, like a teacher or community figure.
Why Is Early Intervention Important?
It’s widely acknowledged that early intervention in mental health conditions is associated with the best outcomes. This means that young people who receive treatment early are more likely to recover more quickly and experience less serious symptoms.
Early intervention for young people is especially important because of the developmental changes that happen during childhood. Young people’s brains are still developing, and mental health conditions can have a lasting effect on their development. Mental health disorders can also disrupt normal processes of emotional and social learning. Moreover, harmful thinking and behavioural patterns formed in childhood can persist into adulthood.
Early intervention helps young people recover from mental health symptoms and address unhelpful or maladaptive behavioural patterns so they can continue healthy development processes. It helps prevent long-term harm to a young person’s mental health and well-being.
Family Therapy
Families can play a huge role in a child’s recovery from mental illness. As a young person’s closest support system, they can provide invaluable emotional support while reinforcing positive behaviours and changes.
As a parent, sometimes it can be hard to know how to support a child, respond to behaviours, and create a home environment that provides the scaffolding for mental well-being.
Family therapy gives parents and other family members tools to build positive, mutually supportive family dynamics that encourage mental health recovery and discourage harmful behaviours. It also includes psychoeducation to help parents understand their child’s emotions, thoughts, behaviours, and experiences.
Looking After Yourself
If your child is experiencing mental health issues, it’s normal to feel worried, anxious, or frustrated. It’s important for parents to seek support, too, whether from friends, community figures, family members, or professionals. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help when needed: you can look after your child best by taking care of yourself, too.
The Wave Clinic: Specialist Recovery Programs for Young People
The Wave Clinic offers dedicated treatment spaces for young people from our residential and outpatient centers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We focus on building skills, self-confidence, and life advantage that enrich young people’s futures.
Our outpatient centre offers specialist interventions for children, adolescents, and young adults. We offer different types of therapy, including dialectical behavioural therapy, process groups, and eating disorder groups that address the underlying causes of mental health concerns. We also offer family therapy, a pharmacy, dieticians, and psychiatry.
Our team is a group of professionals specialising in child, adolescent, and young adult mental healthcare, with expertise in neurodiversity, family systems, and caring for young people with additional needs. Every team member holds high-level qualifications in their field alongside years of experience.
If you’re interested in finding out more about our programs, get in touch today. We’re here to help.
