DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH

Amajor NHS report has found that one in eight young people in England, aged between 5 and 19, suffer with a mental health disorder.

The survey, which looked at data from more than 9,000 children living in England and registered with a GP, found an increase in conditions such as anxiety, depression and OCD in children over the past decade.

A worrying one in 18 children aged 2 to 4 years now has at least one mental health condition, while 17 to 19-year-old girls have been identified as a ‘high risk’ group, with one in four suffering with disorder and 46.8 per cent of children in this age category attempting self-harm or suicide.

The emotional wellbeing of children is just as important as their physical health, and while having a conversation with your child about mental issues can be challenging, it can be the important first step in helping them to find the support they need.

Sarah Kendrick, head of service from children’s mental health charity Place2be, reveals the dos and don’ts for talking to a young people you think may be struggling to cope. too late to start thinking about your child’s mental health — but do make sure you choose your language carefully, says Kendrick. “From a young age, children can start to understand difficult feelings and worries. Referring to characters in story books or on TV can be a helpful way to get them thinking about different emotions and how to cope with them.”