How to detect mental health conditions in children and adolescents

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- The recent Warren County Coroner’s Report shows two teenage suicides in the last five months of 2023. In response to this, News 40 is working to understand more about the mental health issues affecting children across the Commonwealth.

Health experts say societal pressures, poverty, adverse childhood experiences, and low access to resources are reasons why a child may commit suicide. It can be easy to overlook signs that your own child may be struggling with their mental health.

What should parents look for? Changes in day-to-day behaviors, like sleeping, eating, and socializing. Experts say that depression often presents itself as chronic irritability, or viewing everything through a negative lens. This can mask the mental health problems that are present.

Dr. Katy Hopkins, medical director of Pediatric Health at Norton’s Children’s Hospital, says, “Roughly 70% of children and adolescents who complete suicide did not have a diagnosed mental health condition prior to them ending their lives.”

Experts remind us that we need to pay attention not just to those children and adolescents presenting mental health issues, but making sure they all have access and support to the help they need.