These are some of the mental health problems :
- Depression affects more children and young people today than in the last few decades, but it is still more common in adults. Teenagers are more likely to experience depression than young children.
- Self-harm is a very common problem among young people. Some people find it helps them manage intense emotional pain if they harm themselves, through cutting or burning, for example. They may not wish to take their own life.
- Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) can cause young people to become extremely worried. Very young children or children starting or moving school may have separation anxiety. Adults can develop GAD at any point and in particular after a difficult time of change.
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can follow physical or sexual abuse, witnessing something extremely frightening of traumatising, being the victim of violence or severe bullying or surviving a disaster.
- Eating disorder usually start in the teenage years and are more common in girls than boys. The number of young people who develop an eating disorder is small, but eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa can have serious consequences for their physical health and development.
Other common issues that children and young people can sometimes need help to understand and find ways to overcome:
- Rage and Anger
- Sadness and low mood
- Loss, bereavement, complicated grief.
- Sleep difficulties
- Trauma and PTSD
- School Refusing
- Bullying
- Friendship issues
- Low self-esteem and confidence