How to spot warning signs
Children, like adults, can have mental health difficulties. Especially in wartime, when constant air anxieties, stress, and uncertainty affect a child's vulnerable psyche. Behavioral changes, emotional breakdowns, and sleep problems are signals that a child may need support. Recognizing these signs is not always easy. At an early age, children are not yet able to clearly express their emotions or explain why they behave in a certain way. It is important for parents to be attentive to changes in their child's behavior, mood, or habits.
Signals that may indicate emotional difficulties:
• Persistent sadness for two or more weeks.
• Avoidance of communication, isolation.
• Emotional instability, outbursts of anger, irritability.
• Drastic changes in habits — sleep, eating, behavior.
• Frequent complaints of headache or stomach pain without medical treatment
reasons.
• Problems with concentration, poor academic performance.
• Refusing school or usual activities.
• Uncontrolled or risky behavior that may
harm a child or others
• Talk about death or suicide.
• Self-harm or mentions of it.
If you notice such signs, do not delay contacting a pediatrician, family doctor or mental health professional. Talk to teachers, friends, relatives or people who care for the child - their observations can help the specialist better understand the situation. Peculiarities of adolescence: why it is important to be nearby In adolescence, emotional storms are a part of development. The limbic system (responsible for emotions) develops faster than the prefrontal cortex (logic and self-control), so at this age there is a particularly high tendency to risky behavior: experiments with alcohol and drugs, dangerous "challenges", the search for thrills.
What parents can do:
• Be a support. Teenagers need an adult who stays calm during difficult times.
• Speak frankly. Without judgment or morality. Explain not only what is not allowed, but why.
• Offer alternatives. If you want adrenaline, offer sports or volunteering. If you want independence, give them choices and responsibility.
• Support, don't belittle. Avoid phrases like "don't make it up." Better: "I can see that you're struggling. Do you want to talk?"«
• Be present in your child's digital life. Discuss the content your child is viewing. This is about caring, not controlling.
We recommend reading:
«Born to be Free: Why Teens Take Risks and How to Protect Them from Danger, by Jess P. Shatkin
Mental health is no less important than physical health. Timely attention from parents can change a child's life
Information from the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine