Yale Medicine physicians have recently addressed the escalating problem of mental health issues among children, providing practical advice for parents to oversee and enhance their offspring's mental well-being.
Dr. Shanthi Mogali, MD at Yale Medicine, emphasized the importance of parental vigilance in this matter, stating, "It's very important for parents to monitor their child's mental health because it can be very dangerous if certain symptoms like anxiety and depression are left unattended." She further elaborated on the gravity of the situation by noting that "More than a million emergency room visits are attributed annually to children suffering from a mental health disorder, and children often do not know how to process their feelings, which can lead to isolation and despair."
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a significant rise in mental health problems among children. Depression rates, anxiety levels, and suicide risks have nearly doubled among children and young adults since the outbreak began. Linda Mayes, MD, chair of the Yale Child Study Center and chief of Child Psychiatry for Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital stated: "Children and adolescents are struggling more than ever before with more severe and prolonged mental health needs. All of us in healthcare have an imperative to be more innovative in how we meet these needs, and in ensuring that families have access to the care that they need," according to a press release from Yale New Haven Health.
In response to this crisis, Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital has collaborated with The Reach Foundation to train physicians in recognizing early signs of mental health struggles in children. Dr. Mogali explained: "Children often present with physical symptoms, yet sometimes it's all related to whatever they’re feeling emotionally. This is why it’s important to check in with a mental health provider or a primary care provider to help determine if there is a psychological component to their symptoms," as reported by a press release from Yale New Haven Health.
Parents play a crucial role in identifying mental health issues in their children. Mogali advises parents to be vigilant for mood changes, difficulty sleeping, withdrawal from activities, and changes in eating habits as these can all indicate deteriorating mental health. She further advised: "I encourage parents to work closely with the people in your child’s life and to listen carefully if they have information about how your child is behaving. Teachers, coaches, therapists and other family members may be able to offer insights that even parents are not aware of, and listening to others can sometimes help with early diagnosis of a mental health issue or disorder," according to a press release from Yale New Haven Health.
