SIGNS OF POSSIBLE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS IN YOUNGER CHILDREN
* Sadness a lot of the time
* Ongoing worries or fears
* Obsessions or compulsive habits that interfere with everyday life
* Ongoing problems getting along with other children or fitting in at school, kinder or child care
* Aggressive or consistently disobedient behaviour, such as frequent yelling, kicking, hitting, biting or damaging things around them
* Frequent physical complaints, such as headaches or tummy aches
* Sleep problems, including nightmares.
FOR TEENS
* Having trouble coping with everyday activities
* Seeming down, feeling things are hopeless, being frequently tearful or lacking motivation
* Having trouble eating or sleeping
* Difficulties with attention, memory or concentration, a drop in school performance, or suddenly refusing to go to school
* Avoiding friends or withdrawing from social contact
* Complaints of frequent physical pain, such as headache, tummy ache or backache
* Being aggressive or antisocial, for example, missing school, getting into trouble with the police, fighting or stealing
* Losing weight or being very anxious about weight or physical appearance
* Repeated use of drugs or alcohol
* Self-harming behaviours.
Australian readers seeking support and information about depression can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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