mental illness in children

teenager standing in a dark hallway

Universal Depression Screenings in New Jersey

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Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and emotional trauma are increasing in both the state of New Jersey and nationwide. Due to this mental health crisis, New Jersey will be introducing universal mental health screenings for all students grades seven through twelve. It is often hard to recognize when teenagers are having a hard time. These mental health screenings were introduced to public schools in New Jersey in the hopes that they will be able to identify students who need help with their mental health.

All You Need to Know About the Screenings

According to NJ.com, between 2007 and 2017, the number of suicides among 10 to 24-year-olds increased by 56 percent. As long as parents give consent, students will be able to complete a computerized screening survey and the parents would be notified if the student is flagged for showing symptoms of depression.

It is important for parents to understand that screening results are not a formal diagnosis. Once parents receive screening results, schools will advise parents to share the results with a doctor or psychologist. The bill is attempting to raise awareness about mental health diseases and give parents the ability to seek professional help and prevent further suicides. The annual screenings also attempt to educate students about mental health issues. The bill will allow people to start talking about these issues and make people more comfortable expressing their own experience with mental health illness. We are hopeful that this screening will bring us one step closer to breaking the mental health stigma and provide help to those who need it quickly and easily.

New Alliance Academy in Paramus, NJ provides educational and ancillary therapeutic services for high school teenagers experiencing acute psychological distress.

teenager worried about her mental illness

Knowing the Signs of Mental Illness in Children

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As a parent, it can sometimes be difficult to identify behavioral health problems in your child. Knowing the signs illness can help your child get the treatment they need sooner, which can benefit your child for the rest of their life. To better understand the signs and symptoms of behavioral disorders in children, it is important to know their definitions.

Behavioral Health Disorder Defined

Mental health relates to our cognitive, emotional, and behavioral well-being, which is all about the way we think, feel, and behave. Behavioral health disorder is when there is a disruption in our process of thinking, feeling, and behaving which makes it difficult to function daily and to self-regulate emotions. When a child has a behavioral health disorder, it can disrupt the development in their age-appropriate thinking, social skills, behaviors, and self-regulation of emotions. This disruption can put them in distress in social situations, at home, or school. Some common disorders in children are:

  • Anxiety disorder
  • Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Eating Disorders
  • Depression

Signs of Behavioral Health Disorders

Signs and symptoms of illness may vary from child to child, and they may not show every sign. Some of the most common signs include:

  • Persistent sadness
  • Avoiding or retreating from social interactions
  • Self-harm or having conversations about hurting oneself
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Changes in academic performance
  • Avoiding or missing school
  • Outbursts or severe irritability
  • Harmful and out-of-control behavior
  • Alterations in eating habits

If you are concerned about your child and think that they may have a disorder, reach out to your child’s primary care doctor. Make sure they are aware of the behaviors that your child is showing and how they are concerning you. The doctor will make the best educated decision for your child to initiate mental health care or continue to monitor their health.

New Alliance Academy is a school in Paramus, NJ that provides educational and ancillary therapeutic services for high school teenagers experiencing acute psychological distress.