CHOC Mental Health Update | May 2022
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Thank you, Friend,
for being a champion for youth with mental health conditions in your community.
What are high-functioning depression and anxiety? 
High-functioning depression and anxiety are commonly used terms among teenagers; however, these are not clinical diagnoses and can be harmful. Using these terms can downplay diagnoses, create stigmas and limit help outreach. Read more about the symptoms and why not to use these terms.
 
Cultural stigmas can prevent kids from getting help. 
Cultural stigmas can play a role in children seeking mental health services. Different cultures have their own understanding and beliefs about mental health symptoms. See 6 tips to make accessing mental health more comfortable. 
 
Early screenings for mental health conditions could help kids. 
The U.S. Preventative Task Force recommends that all children 8 years of age and older be screened for anxiety and that all children over the age of 12 receive regular screening for depression to help combat the current pediatric mental health crisis. Listen to why experts think this will get children help before a crisis.
 
Negative thinking can lead to anxiety in kids.
Having negative thoughts, such as catastrophic or self-deprecating thoughts, can lead to mental health challenges, like anxiety, in children. But with practice, kids can learn to reframe these thoughts and create a shift to a more positive mindset. Learn more about negative thinking and techniques to reframe thoughts.
 
Stomachaches and headaches can be a sign of anxiety in children.
When a child develops patterns of negative physical reactions before potentially stressful moments, it could mean they're experiencing anxiety. To help, parents should first work with kids on connecting worries to symptoms. Read more on how parents can help anxious children.
 
 

CHOC Mental Health Guides

Children's mental health is crucial to their development. That's why CHOC pediatric mental health experts created condition-based guides to provide education, tips and tools, crisis resources and more for parents and children.

 

Explore CHOC Guides


 

 

Is your child struggling with their mental health?

Here's a list of Mental Health Help Lines.

This email is intended to share news and information about the need for pediatric mental health services in Orange County and CHOC’s role in meeting those needs.

This email is not intended to replace the relationship you have with a physician or another healthcare practitioner. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. This email includes links to other websites which provide additional information that is consistent with the intended purpose of the CHOC Mental Health newsletter. Linking to a non-CHOC site does not constitute an endorsement by CHOC of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site.
    
Long Live Childhood