RUNNING HEAD: MENTAL ILLNES IN CHILDREN

Community Problem report: Mental Illness in Children

The University of Texas at El Paso
Rhetoric and Composition I: 1301
November 6, 2015
Alexa Michelle Marquez

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Abstract
The mental illness in children has become a crisis and a burden too many families in the U.S. It
is important to get these problems diagnosed at the correct time and get the children the medical
help they need. The parents and the families of the affected need to know that there are
programs and help for them as well. As of society, those living at the outside of this problem
should become aware in order to prevent the numbers of affected from growing or simply to lend
a hand.

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Affected by Mental Illnesses.

One in five children meets the criteria for having a mental illness in their lifetime. 24.1
percent of girls and 17.0 percent of boys This 20 percent affects every one, whether at school,
at home or personally stated by the Human Face of Mental Health and Mental Illness in 2006.
Children's mental health is the most important aspect of any child's social, behavioral, and
intellectual growth. In the United States the mental health-care system is a multibillion-dollar
production that is still not vast enough to serve all the affected and their families with resources
to care and better their conditions.
For those who struggle from mental illnesses, there are many ways and places where help
can be provided. , where there are people that want to help because they believe in the struggle of
the illness. There are many non-profit family organizations dedicated to meeting the needs of
families of children and youth with serious emotional, behavioral or mental health challenges.
Mental health conditions are common, and treatable and all children and youth with emotional,
behavioral and mental health challenges should have access to the supports and services they
need in order to be successful in their home, school and community.
If information, advice or help is needed regarding mental or physical health, there are
many different places that can help. This help is provided wherever needed whether you are
receiving an education or no longer at school. Sometimes volunteers from Youth Information,
Advice and Support Services (YIACS) provide drop-in provisions at school. Talking to tutors
and counselors also makes a huge difference in once life. If help at school is unsatisfying, they
might also advice to where one could go instead to talk or receive support.

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It's important to get help early. Mental health conditions can be treated and getting help
early can prevent difficulties from getting more serious in the future. It is important to take any
symptom of mental illness as serious as possible and get an accurate opinion of an expert. Many
times parents like to think that it is just a phase and let it go without realizing how harmful
overseeing a condition like this can be. There are programs in schools that target the different
stages of a childs mental development to prevent them from advancing into more serious
conditions, it is important that the children who need the help receive it on a daily basis at the
stages required. This way those who were caught early can start their path in the right direction.
It is essential for parents to receive help as well. No parent is born with the ability to care
for a child, much less one with a mental illness of some sort. It is imperative that once the child
is diagnosed, the whole family or those who will be close to the child receive some sort of
training, help, or counseling. It is not an easy task and the care for a child with needs requires not
only basic knowledge but also the ability to deal with a situation in case an emergency arises.
Those children affected need to know they are not alone. It is important that they are
aware that there are many affected by mental illnesses, and that there are even more people out
there willing to help and accompany them in the journey to get better. Institutions, doctors,
volunteers and their families and friends are working together to provide the best help they can
receive. No child should feel like they are alone or hopeless. The cure to anything starts with a
positive attitude and a positive environment that should be provided by those who surround
them. This will prevent the progress of the illness.

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Unaware of Mental Illnesses.

According to Doctor Lee M., Mental illness is a recognized, medically diagnosable
illness that results in the significant impairment of an individuals cognitive, affective or
relational abilities. Mental disorders result from biological, developmental and/or psychosocial
factors and can be managed using approaches comparable to those applied to physical disease for
example some sort of therapy. Having poor mental health is connected with emotional distress
and psychosocial damage similar to that of a major depressive experience. The effects of poor
mental health are both severe and predominant, with poor mental health being more common
than depression.
Mental disorders in children are common and could sometimes be extremely severe.
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, About one-fourth of children experience some sort of
mental disorder, and/or one-third at a particular moment in their lives. According to the surgeon
general, approximately one out of every five children has a diagnosable mental illness.
Children, however, are developing mentally and physically, and their behavior may be difficult to
analyze. The most common kind of mental disorders are anxiety disorders, such as overanxious
disorder of childhood or separation anxiety disorder. Other common types of mental illnesses in
childhood include behavioral disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder which is
mostly known as ADHD, substance-use disorders such as alcohol use disorders, and mood
disorders like depression.
Children who are suffering from these horrible illnesses are not alone, those along with
their families suffer economically and emotionally. Diagnosis usually begins with a medical
doctor who takes a lengthy history and examines the child to rule out physical reasons for the

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complications. The best treatments are those prescribed by doctors or mental health specialist,
and that may include counseling, medication, support, diet and exercise.
Unfortunately, visiting mental health providers and paying for many of these treatments
can be extremely expensive. According to neurologists, receiving proper care for mental health
condition is crucial for recovery. The economic costs of mental illness have never been easy to
pin down. The costs of mental health care can be estimated the way other health care costs are
estimated. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, cites a cost of $57.5B in 2006 for
mental health care in the U.S. Not all people have
access to affordable insurance. Whether insured or
not, and whether insurance coverage is adequate,
there are ways that help pay for care.
Even after having to deal with the fact that a
child is mentally ill and the expenses that come with
that, families usually have to adjust their way of
living. There are many non-profit family
organization

such

as

Association

for

Figure 1. Shows the cycle of life of a

mentally ill child.

Childrens Mental Health (ACMH), dedicated to meet the needs of families of children and
youth with mental health challenges. There are also many classes provided for the childs family
to learn how to cope with the ill child. These family organizations, clubs, and classes are
extremely recommended by highly recognized neurologists and psychologists. Relatives of these
children have also stated that the help given is very helpful and that thanks to them, they have
been able to move on and take care of their children.
Those who can make a difference.

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Only those who know about mental illnesses and are aware of what it is can make a
change. There are countless ways to get involved and make a difference in the field of mental
health illness. Volunteer and help make things better for people affected by mental illness. Help
improve mental health support for young offenders. Help improve out of hours mental health
services for young people. You can also get involved with the Time to Change campaign to end
the stigma and discrimination people with mental illness can face and to get people talking about
mental health.
Many people with training in mental health, work for these specific type of services.
They are all trained to listen to young people and to help them if they have worries or problems.
If your profession is a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, family therapist, nurse, mental
health worker, early intervention worker, or even a counsellor, your help is desperately needed
for these services. Even if your profession differs from the listed above, there are still other ways
to help out in the field. These services could such be; as a volunteer in a research facility for the
mental illness, a donor of some sort to a helping center or for the research itself, and in any way
that one can provide help. Sometimes all these children need is a friend, somebody that will
make them feel they are human.
The best way to help out and make a difference in this horrific illness is to be
knowledgeable over this problem in order to be able to identify symptoms in a relative or a loved
one as soon as possible. This may seem difficult to do but many young people have stated that
when a friend reports their problem, it can make them feel safer and supported. These disorders
very rarely come out of the blue. In most cases, there are changes in a person, these changes can
be in their behavior, mood, their relationships with people around them, and their general
involvement in daily life. These changes can be quite delicate and easy to miss. They can happen

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over a quite short period of time or sometimes they can nurture progressively over a number of
months. This is why it is important to be fully aware and be attentive with others and with
yourself as well. Getting informed about
symptoms can save a life, whether it is yours or
someone close to you.
As well as supporting others with
mental needs, its very important that you look
after your own health too. Getting informed,
training, and counseling are not the only ways
to make a difference, a way to help mental

Figure 2. Demonstrates a graph about the

percentage of the children with disorders
and the type of disorders they have.

illness from spreading is to find out how one can stay mentally healthy as well. According to the
Miriam Websters Dictionary the definition of mental health is a state of well-being in which the
individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work
productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Whether
or not you are experiencing mental health problems, it is good to think about ways to stay
mentally healthy. Talking to your friends, finding ways to continue to take part in your favorite
hobbies, sharing your feelings, exercising, taking time to relax, eating healthy and specially,
knowing where and when to get help support.
Many people seek help when struggling with mental health problems because they are
worried about the stigma that is associated with mental illness. Or, they may feel that they are the
only one experiencing the difficult feelings, which can make them wonder if the feelings are real.
They may be worried that no one will understand and be able to help them. It is crucial that no

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one should ever feel this way, for that reason people should start talking about mental illness and
get involve to help those who need it.

References.

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A Look at Mental Illness in Children. (n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2015, from
http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/mental-health-illness-in-children
About ACMH | Association for Children's Mental Health. (2000). Retrieved October 24, 2015,
from http://www.acmh-mi.org/about/
Children's health. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthylifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/mental-illness-in-children/art-20046577
Didi Hirsch. (2001, June 12). Retrieved October 7, 2015, from http://www.didihirsch.org.
Director's Blog: The Global Cost of Mental Illness. (2009). Retrieved October 23, 2015, from
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/director/2011/the-global-cost-of-mentalillness.shtml
Harrison, M. (Ed.). (2002). Learning Disabilities Association of America. Retrieved October 24,
2015, from http://ldaamerica.org/.
How Is Mental Illness in Children Diagnosed. (2009). Retrieved October 24, 2015, from
http://www.kidsmentalhealth.org/how-is-mental-illness-in-children-diagnosed/
Mental Illness in Children: Learn About Types of Disorders. (2008). Retrieved October 24,
2015, from http://www.medicinenet.com/mental_illness_in_children/article.htm.
Talking To Kids About Mental Illnesses. (2013, June 14). Retrieved October 23, 2015, from
https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFFGuide/Talking-To-Kids-About-Mental-Illnesses-084.aspx
Washburn Center for Children. (2007, January 18). Retrieved October 7, 2015, from
www.washburn.org

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