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Recognising and Responding to Child Mental Health�A guide for parents

Dr Jaimie Northam

Director of the Child Development Clinic |

Western Sydney University

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Why this matters

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  • 1 in 5 children experience mental health challenges
  • Early support leads to better outcomes
  • Parents are often the first to notice changes

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What is Mental Health?

  • Emotional wellbeing
  • Ability to cope with stress
  • Relationships and behaviour

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Mental Health is a Spectrum

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  • Everyone has ups and downs
  • Not all distress = a problem
  • Look for patterns over time

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When to Be Concerned

Is it intense?

Does it last a long time?

Does it interfere with daily life?

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Warning Signs�

Emotional Warning Signs

Ongoing sadness

Irritability or anger

Excessive worries or fears

Frequent crying

Behavioural Warning Signs

Withdrawal from friends/family

Loss of interest in activities

Aggression or defiance

Big changes in behaviour

Physical & School Signs

Sleep problems

Headaches/stomach aches

Drop in school performance

School refusal

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Changes to Watch Closely

  • Sudden personality changes
  • Regression (e.g., clinginess, bedwetting)
  • Loss of confidence
  • Trust Your Gut
  • You know your child best
  • Small changes matter
  • Patterns are more important than one-off events

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Starting the Conversation

Choose a calm moment

Be curious, not critical

Use open-ended questions

    • “I’ve noticed you seem a bit quieter lately—how are you going?”
    • “What’s been on your mind?”

Listening Matters Most

    • Listen without interrupting
    • Validate feelings
    • Avoid jumping straight to solutions

Helpful phrases:

    • “That sounds really tough”
    • “I’m glad you told me”

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Supporting Your Child�

Help them name feelings

Encourage problem-solving

Model healthy coping

Stay calm and consistent

Predictable routines

Quality time together

Safe, non-judgmental space

Balanced expectations

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What Not To Do

Don’t ignore ongoing changes

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Don’t dismiss feelings (“you’ll be fine”)

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Don’t shame or punish emotional distress

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Don’t compare to others

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When to Seek Help�

  • Concerns last weeks or longer
  • Interfering with school or friendships
  • Significant distress
  • Mentions of self-harm or hopelessness

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  • Where to Get Help & what can you do to find a good fit?
    • GP (first step)
    • School counsellor
    • Psychologist
    • Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services

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You Don’t Have to Do This Alone �

  • Seeking help is a strength
  • Early support works
  • Support is available

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Key Takeaways�

Notice changes early

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Stay connected and listen

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Seek help when needed

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