Being prepared for situations that may arise is very important as a parent. One of the most critical steps you can take is making sure that your child’s mental health is taken seriously. According to a study, about 12.8% of adolescents in the US have experienced major depression. Here are a few steps that you can take to identify if your child is experiencing depression.
Warning Signs
During adolescence, there are many phases that kids go through. It can be hard to tell when their behavior is becoming more severe or when they might start experiencing mood swings. Identifying the warning signs of depression is the first step in helping your child get better.
Some warning signs can include:
-Low Self-Esteem
-Lack of Interest
-Changing in Eating Habits
Getting Help
There are multiple ways to help your child, such as talking to their pediatrician, getting in touch with mental health services, and researching online. Although it’s essential not to ignore the signs of depression, it’s also necessary to give your child the necessary support and resources to fight it.
Emotional Support
Having the support of the family is very important for your child’s development. It can help build a strong base for them in their social relationships. Having that family support can help build a strong foundation for your child’s trust. Talking about their problems and concerns can help you identify potential warning signs.
Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle can help the symptoms of depression be more manageable. It can also help prevent the development of mental health issues in the first place. Some healthy lifestyle options can include exercising, eating healthy, and getting sleep.
Staying Connected
One of the main symptoms of depression is isolation, which can worsen the effects of depression if not taken care of sooner than later. Not getting the social interaction that a regular child needs can be damaging. Unfortunately, it can be challenging for kids to connect with new people due to their limited social skills.
Maintaining a positive relationship with people can help a child feel better about themselves. However, it’s important to remember that loneliness won’t go away. Being prepared to react and alert to any signs of depression can help keep the situation under control.
This article was originally published on Herrick Lipton’s website.
Published by Herrick Lipton | New York City
Herrick Lipton, the CEO of New Horizon Counseling Center, believes that behavioral health is the focal point of healthcare. Ensuring emotional and mental stability is not only vitally important in its own merit, but it also keeps people from neglecting or abusing their physical health. Providing tools for behavioral health means providing the foundation for a long, healthy life.
Ever since Herrick Lipton got involved in NHCC as a teenager, he has focused on not only removing the stigmas surrounding behavioral healthcare, but improving options and ease of access for thousands of clients every year. Herrick was the administrative and financial director of NHCC for many years and has always made it his mission to listen to the needs of his local community. For example, in August of 2014, Herrick worked with local government officials to strategically approach the opening of Howard Beach Outpatient Clinic: what would improve its outreach and overall status as a local resource? The answer was all in the location. Moving out of a nondescript building into an accessible storefront model helped remove the clinic’s stigma and make its purpose more clear to people who might need it.
Herrick Lipton works within numerous aspects of behavioral health through his role at NHCC, including developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s and elder care, alcohol and substance abuse, and mental illnesses in children, adolescents, and adults. One of his first realizations after becoming CEO of NHCC was the need for diversification; every behavioral health issue has its own unique set of needs, so every issue should have its own targeted program. That’s why Herrick works on not only revamping existing programs, but creating new ones that more directly help patients.
As we move toward integrated healthcare delivery systems across the board, Herrick is working to make behavioral healthcare a key component. From better outreach (NHCC has grown from 800 to 6,000 clients under Herrick’s watch) to simply encouraging people to take the first step, Herrick Lipton is constantly trying to share education and awareness about the importance of behavioral healthcare.
Herrick has managed to make NHCC thrive in a time where many behavioral health organizations unfortunately fold under mismanagement or lack of funding. His executive direction has resulted in license renewals, massive grants, and governmental citations, all of which point to a bright future not just for NHCC, but for thousands of patients in the New York area.
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