Why Early Detection Matters for Children’s Mental Health

If you are the parent of a child who is living with a mental health condition, you might be concerned about how their diagnosis might impact them over the course of their life. And if your child has been recently diagnosed, you might be overwhelmed with new information and unsure where to turn for help. 

We understand that these diagnoses can be difficult for parents to receive. But please know you are not alone, and with the right support, your child can learn, grow, and thrive.

Through early detection of children’s mental health challenges, your provider can help you address current issues and prevent more serious problems from developing in the future.

Begin at the Beginning

New insights about brain development and early childhood experience show that caring for young children’s mental health is essential for their life-long physical health and well-being.

Sadly, few children get the mental health care they need when it matters most. 

Even though children are diagnosed with mental health conditions at the same rates as adults, 80% do not get any care at all and few receive care from qualified mental health professionals. 

This is due in part to the fact that in the past, most psychiatric care was designed to support adults and few tools existed to identify mental health issues in children. 

Given the lack of resources for early detection, many children don’t receive an appropriate diagnosis until they exhibit difficulty in the educational setting (either academically, socially, or both). By then, many significant opportunities to intervene will have already passed. 

Thankfully, we now live in a time when there are more treatment options for children than ever before, but one thing is for certain - early detection and intervention are key for achieving the best possible outcome. When children get early access to support, they can learn to express their needs, regulate their emotions, and manage their symptoms with help from caring adults.

When to Worry?

As time passes, the impact of untreated mental health challenges tends to increase. That’s why early detection and treatment of mental health challenges can reduce their long-term impact.

As a parent, you can play a critical role in identifying concerns during key developmental windows in your child’s life, and that could make all the difference in helping them achieve their full potential.

Of course, all parents worry about their child’s progress from time to time, and that’s especially true for first-time parents. But sometimes it can be hard to tell when a behavior, while perhaps stressful or challenging, is developmentally appropriate or cause for greater concern. 

If you find yourself worrying about your child, start taking some notes about the severity, frequency, and timing of the behavior(s). If you can identify any repeated triggers, or any needs your child might be trying to have met through the behavior, make sure to record those as well. 

As you begin to identify patterns, Little Otter can help you decide when it’s time to seek professional support. In doing so before things escalate further, you gain an opportunity to intervene and prevent more serious impairments later in your child’s life.      

When Parents & Providers Partner 

When it comes to accessing quality mental health care, you are your child’s best advocate. But you don’t have to go it alone. With Little Otter, you get an easy to use, evidence-based tool to understand, monitor, and support your child’s emotional and behavioral development. In addition, you also get access to hands-on, virtual care from parent coaches who will take the time to truly get to know your family.

With Little Otter, you’ll be supported as you learn to track warning signs, identify regressions, and celebrate key developmental milestones. Armed with the insight only a parent can provide and holistic data from our platform, you can have more meaningful discussions with your child’s providers.  

As you begin to walk the path of treatment with your child, know that there is hope for a bright future, and that Little Otter is here to support you and your family.

With science-backed guidance, information, and support, your child can navigate their challenges and strengthen their unique gifts.