CHILDREN & TEENS

Symptoms

It’s normal for children and teenagers to sometimes have low moods, poor motivation and trouble sleeping. These things aren’t always signs of a mental health problem, but if you notice any of the following signs and the signs go on for more than a few weeks, it’s important to talk with your child. The next step is to get professional help.

For children younger than 12 years, mental health warning signs might include:

  • sadness a lot of the time

  • a drop in school performance

  • ongoing worries or fears

  • problems fitting in at school or getting along with other children
    aggressive or consistently disobedient behaviour, or repeated temper tantrums
    sleep problems, including nightmares

For children 12 years and older, watch out for your child:

  • seeming down, feeling things are hopeless, being tearful or lacking motivation
    a having trouble coping with everyday activities

  • showing sudden changes in behaviour, often for no obvious reason

  • having trouble eating or sleeping

  • dropping in school performance, or suddenly refusing to go to school, TAFE or work

  • avoiding friends or social contact

  • saying she has physical pain – for example, headache, stomach ache or backache

  • being aggressive or antisocial – for example, missing school, getting into trouble with the police, fighting or stealing

  • being very anxious about weight or physical appearance, losing weight or failing to gain weight as she grows

  • seeming down, feeling things are hopeless, being tearful or lacking motivation

GET PROFESSIONAL HELP

Mental health problems are unlikely to get better on their own, so you need to get professional help as soon as possible. Poor mental health or unmanaged mental health problems can affect your child’s quality of life, physical health, schoolwork, relationships and development – social, physical, educational and vocational. If you think your child may need additional support, CALMA is here to help.

No referral is needed to make an appointment. However, you can arrange for an appointment with your GP to discuss your mental health and the support which can be available through Medicare to access treatment services. If you are eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan, your GP can provide this to you to bring along to your session which will allow you to access a rebate through Medicare.

At CALMA we provide tailored psychological treatment for a range of difficulties including:

  • Separation Anxiety

  • Generalised anxiety

  • Peer difficulties

  • Grief

  • Parental separation/divorce

  • Behaviour difficulties

  • School avoidance

  • Study/Exam Stress

  • Family conflict

  • Low self-esteem

  • Sleep difficulties

  • Learning difficulties

  • Suicidal thoughts

  • Depressed mood

  • Anger issues