Mental illness in children – This is how you can help your child deal with depression!

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Being a child doesn't mean they are not susceptible to mental illness. In fact children can experience a range of mental conditions, including, anxiety disorders, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and schizophrenia.

Childhood is is full of challenges and opportunities - starting and changing school, making new friends, going through puberty and preparing for exams. While some children take change in their stride, for others, adaptation is harder, causing stress and even depression. If you think that your child might be depressed and are worried, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has provided some tips to help you deal with the problem:

• Talk to him or her about things happening at home, at school and outside of school. Try to find out whether anything is bothering him or her.
• Talk to people you trust who know your child.
• Seek advice from your health-care provider.
• Protect your child from excessive stress, maltreatment and violence.
• Pay particular attention to your child’s wellbeing during life changes such as starting a new school or puberty.
• Encourage your child to get enough sleep, eat regularly, be physically active, and to do things that he or she enjoys.
• Make time to spend with your child.
• If your child has thoughts of harming him or herself, or has already done so, seek help from a trained professional immediately.

If you feel that your child has a mental health condition, do not hesitate, but seek professional help if required.