Signs to look out for
Some early signs of poor wellbeing might be:
- poor concentration
- being easily distracted
- worrying more
- finding it hard to make decisions
- feeling less interested in day-to-day activities
- low mood
- feeling overwhelmed by things
- tearfulness
- tiredness and lack of energy
- sleeping more or less
- talking less and avoiding social activities
- talking more or talking very fast, jumping between topics and ideas
- finding it difficult to control your emotions
- drinking more
- irritability and short temper
- aggression
However, noticing some of these signs doesn’t mean you should make assumptions about what mental health problems your child may have. Instead, use them as a way of noticing when you should check in and start a conversation about how your child is coping.