There are many signs that your child needs professional help. Your child may be having difficulty coping with the stress of everyday life or experiencing a problem in their schoolwork or social life. So, it's essential to be aware of these "signs" and take prompt steps in ensuring your child gets timely help when needed. In fact, here are six signs that your child needs counseling:
1) They don't have friends
One of the first signs that your child needs counseling is if they don't have any friends. This can be a sign that they are not connecting with people and may be isolating themselves. If your child is not interacting with other kids in school, this could be a sign that they are depressed or sad. They should be encouraged to make friends and connect with others when they can.
2) Their academic performance is declining
Your child's academic performance could also be a sign that they need help. It's normal for children to struggle from time to time as they grow up, but if your child's grades are consistently declining then it could mean that something is going on with them mentally or emotionally.
3) They are depressed or sad
It's also possible for children to become depressed or sad without knowing what's wrong with them. Children tend to act out in their behavior because they don't know how else to express themselves. If you notice that your child is acting out more than usual and/or doesn't want to talk about it, then it could be an indication that something isn't right with them mentally or emotionally.
4) They don't want to go to school
If your child has a hard time dealing with the day-to-day stressors of school, and they don't want to go, this could be a sign that they need help coping with their emotions and functioning in the classroom.
5) They act out at home or in social situations
If your child starts acting out at home or in social situations (such as with friends), this could be a sign that they need help coping with their emotions and managing their behavior. If you notice that your child is acting out almost daily, it's important that you work with them on their problem areas so they can learn how to deal with the issues themselves.
6) They show frequent temper tantrums
If there's no rhyme or reason for these outbursts and your child says things like "I hate you" or "You are a bad parent," these words may be coming from an emotional place that should be worked through with someone who can help them learn how to cope better with their feelings.
Understand the identifiers
There are two broader reasons (or risk factors) behind these signs of mental health problems. One, bullying, and two, a family history of mental illness.
Children experiencing bullying can often isolate themselves socially, stay sad most of the time, and refuse to go to school. Bullying affects their academic performance, as well as personal growth. For parents, it's not always easy to know if their child is being bullied. So, it's important for them to look out for identifiers and ask probing questions to their child. Teaching kids about bullying and how to effectively respond is equally important.
If your family has a history of mental health problems, there's a high chance your child might be going through some of those problems as well. If indeed mental health issues run in your family, it's very important to take your child for counseling (and act proactively) as a preventive measure even if they aren't showing any definite signs of problems.
Take prompt actions
There are several other such signs you should look out for, including if your child gets anxiety or panic attacks or if there has been a change in their sleeping patterns. The key for parents is to look for out-of-ordinary signs in their children and take them to a counseling and support services provider who specializes in working with children. Look out for the best psychological counselling online for your little one.
Disclaimer: These are just some of the signs among many for a counseling intervention. Please ensure to not panic if your child is showing these signs. Prioritize child healthcare (through prompt and proactive measures) instead of cultivating a camp of 'well-behaved' adults of tomorrow.