Child psychiatry

Raising healthy, happy children is challenging in our fast-paced, technology-driven world. It is easy for parents to identify their child’s physical needs. 

However, a child’s mental and emotional needs may not be as obvious. Being mentally healthy during childhood means reaching developmental and emotional milestones and learning healthy social skills and how to cope when there are problems. 

Good mental health allows children to think clearly, develop socially and learn new skills. Mentally healthy children have a positive quality of life and can function well at home, in school, and in their communities.

Oftentimes ill-equipped young people find it difficult to express their emotions. When children do not know how to cope with their emotions, this can manifest as behaviour problems.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “10-20% of children and adolescents experience mental disorders.” WHO offers a few other insights to consider.

• 50% of all mental illnesses begin by age 14.
• 75% occur by the mid-20s
• Neuropsychiatric conditions are the leading cause in many regions.

Neuropsychiatric conditions or disorders is a broad term used to describe diseases that negatively affect one’s ability to learn, work, and emotionally cope. These diseases have a neurological and psychological base.