Mental health includes the mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being of children. It affects the way children think, feel, and act. It also plays a role in how kids handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.

Among the most common mental disorders that can be diagnosed in childhood are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and behavioral disorders.

• ADHD 9.8% (approximately 6.0 million)
• Anxiety 9.4% (approximately 5.8 million)
• Behavior problems 8.9% (approximately 5.5 million)
• Depression 4.4% (approximately 2.7 million)

Other childhood disorders and concerns that affect the way children learn, behave, or manage their emotions may include learning and developmental disabilities, autism, and risk factors such as substance use and self-harm.

Symptoms and treatment

The symptoms of mental disorders change over time as the child grows and may include difficulties in the way the child plays, learns, speaks and acts, or in the way the child handles her emotions.

Every child can have moments in which he presents an abrupt change in behavior. Moments of sadness or irritability, sadness or anxiety, etc. These behaviors are mostly normal stages of their development. However, their persistence may indicate the emergence of a problem that requires attention.

 Symptoms often start in early childhood, although some disorders can develop during adolescence. The diagnosis is often made in the school years and sometimes earlier; however, some children with a mental disorder may not be recognized or diagnosed.

Childhood mental disorders can be treated and managed. There are many treatment options based on the latest and best medical evidence. Parents and doctors need to work closely with everyone involved in the child’s treatment: teachers, coaches, therapists, and other family members. Early diagnosis and the right services for children and their families can make all the difference in the lives of children with mental disorders.

Psychologists have developed tools to assess risk and protective factors for children’s mental health, assess emotional or behavioral problems, provide treatment when needed, and

continually monitor treatment progress. They also designed programs that effectively engage families, schools, and communities—the critical social supports that can ensure children’s long-lasting well-being.

All children have the right to a happy and healthy life and deserve access to effective care to prevent or treat any mental health problems they may develop.