Mental Health Statistics of Children
Almost 4 million children may experience mental health issues. These can cause difficulties at home, school, or with friends. One study estimates the rates for some conditions in children and teens:
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- ADHD: 6.8%
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- Behavioural conditions: 3.5%
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- Anxiety: 3%
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- Depression: 2%
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- Autism: 1.1%
Signs of Mental Health Issues or Psychological Distress among Children
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- Unprovoked aggression
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- Leakage of urine
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- Difficulty adjusting to social situations
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- Recurrent nightmares, night terrors, and/or sleep difficulties like insomnia
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- Low grades or a sudden academic decline
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- Constant worry and anxiety
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- Social withdrawal from the activities your child once liked or loved to do
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- A noticeable and/or sudden loss of appetite and/or extreme weight loss
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- Repetitively performing rituals and routines like hand-washing
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- Suicidal ideations (thoughts) or attempts
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- Your child responds to voices he/she hears in his/her head
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- Spending most of his/her time alone or engaging in voluntary social isolation
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- Alcohol and/ or drug abuse
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- Increased physical complaints, despite a healthy report from a medical professional
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- Engaging in self-harm practices, such as cutting oneself