Greetings!
Whether or not you have ever raised a child, we all know that a runny nose, warm forehead, or upset stomach are obvious signs that a child is not well. Signs of physical illness are often times easy to identify.
But what about a child's mental health? At different stages in a child's life, he or she may behave in ways that puzzle, annoy, or even frighten you. Would you know what behaviors are part of normal growth and development, and which could be signs of potential problems? In honor of National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day on May 6th, River Oak is helping to promote the importance of supporting the social, cognitive, and emotional growth of children right from birth, and of recognizing the symptoms of mental health problems early. We've assembled a few tips and fact sheets to help: |
Tony's story
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At four years old, Tony's behavior was becoming a major problem in his preschool classroom. If he wasn't called upon when he raised his hand, he had explosive tantrums - pounding his fists or feet, crying or throwing himself on the floor. He just couldn't wait his turn or share toys or activities with other children. Read more.
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Mental health problems can't always be seen, but the symptoms can be recognized. Time and awareness are key. Start promoting mental health early, and get help as soon as you supect your child may have a problem. Together, we can guide our children and our community's children to a lifetime of good mental health.
With warm regards, Mary C. Hargrave, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer
River Oak Center for Children |
