There has been greater recognition in recent years to the prevalence of mental-health problems in children. One study has gone so far as to suggest that 20% of children and adolescents in the country show some form of functional impairment caused by a mental disorder. Furthermore, psychiatric care professionals who conducted the study saw one in nine children showing significant disruption and one in twenty exhibiting extreme mental impairment. The most common disorder is ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Mental health is important to everyone’s well-being. People, including children who have an untreated mental disorder are being put at very high risk for many unsafe and unhealthy behaviors. These risks can include substance abuse, violence, self-destructive behavior and suicide.
Psychiatric disorders have a serious influence on one’s physical health and is closely aligned and associated with the prevalence and outcome of some of the most pressing chronic illnesses of our time. These chronic conditions include diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Psychiatric disorders can have very harmful and long-lasting effects, not only on the people who have the disorder, but also for the families, schools, friends and the community.
Continued research on mental health disorders are paying dividends in the treatment and prevention of mental health issues. The early diagnosis and treatment of the problem are decreasing the burden of having a mental disorder as well as the associated chronic diseases.
The impact of mental health:
A report states that mental health burdens, including substance abuse is more than 1.5 times the burden caused by cancer.
The five mental health conditions that contribute most to the burden are:
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Substance abuse
- Social phobia
- Schizophrenia
About one-third of the burden are a result of depression; however, the burden has a tendency to decrease with age.
Bipolar disorder has the greatest impact on young people.
What does psychiatric care have to offer?
More effective treatment of mental disorders in children, youth and young families is contributing to more effective treatment and prevention of mental disease. Psychiatric care is responsible for much of it; it can work in the following ways:
- Individual: One on one counseling for those diagnosed as having mental health disorders
- Peer: Peer assisted programs targeted at improving performance is cognitive subjects
- Family: Parental education on the needs of children at all stages of development
- School: strategies for effective classroom management
- Community: prevention programs aimed at violent offenders administered through community groups and churches
- Systematic: services provided by juvenile justice, child protection services and health services
Total involvement in the mental health care of children has proven to be most beneficial, aiding with discipline and open communication.
Psychiatric care can be arranged, both inpatient and outpatient, at Mayhill Hospital. The hospital provides a wide range of services that offer support and compassionate care.
