Child mental health assessment: why early intervention is vital

Onebright looks at why these assessments are important and the benefits of early intervention and getting the right support.

Parents, caregivers and mental health professionals are deeply invested in ensuring children lead healthy, happy lives. They seek ways to support their mental well-being. Yes, it’s disheartening to see that mental health challenges among children are becoming increasingly prevalent, but this makes it all the more imperative for these issues to be tackled head-on.

According to The Children’s Society, the likelihood of young people developing a mental health problem has increased by 50 per cent over the past three years. While this is concerning, it highlights the need for early assessment and intervention.

Psychological Needs Assessments and the right treatment offer a positive path forward for children and reassurance for parents and caregivers. These assessments involve a thorough evaluation of a child’s emotional, behavioural, and developmental well-being by skilled professionals.

Time for identification

While it may be tempting to delay intervention, it’s important to remember that early detection of any underlying mental health problems is vital for several reasons. Firstly, it allows time for professionals to get to know the child and strive to understand the issues they face before they get worse.

Research has shown that early intervention can significantly improve outcomes for children experiencing mental health problems, which leads to better long-term prognosis and a happier life.

What types of symptoms and feelings are common in children facing mental health problems? Parents and caregivers can look out for:

Feelings of sadness, low self-esteem, and struggles with confidence.
Challenges in relationships, whether with peers at school, friends, or parents.
Behavioural difficulties, both at home and in the school environment.
Instances of avoidance include feigning illness or reluctance to participate in school or extracurricular activities.
Experiencing excessive anxiety and worry

The above symptoms can often be an early sign that children are struggling with their mental health.

Psychological needs assessment. a preventative measure

Accurate assessment early in a child’s life can also prevent mental health problems from escalating into adulthood.

According to Mental Health Research, Many adult mental health disorders originate in childhood; in fact, 75 per cent of mental illnesses start before a child’s 18th birthday while 50 per cent occur before the age of 15. So, addressing issues during the formative years can help provide some much-needed skills and strategies to carry with them throughout their lives.

Identifying and addressing mental health concerns early on can mitigate the risk of more severe problems emerging later in life.

Psychological needs assessments provide valuable insights

Psychological needs assessments provide valuable insights for parents and caregivers, helping them better understand their children. Parents want the best for their children, but they need more knowledge and may need help understanding how to provide proper support.

A comprehensive assessment offers clear treatment recommendations, which can reassure parents and provide much-needed comfort that their child will receive the appropriate help and support.

Onebright offers an initial psychological needs assessment prior to any therapy and aims to provide parents and caregivers with transparency about available treatment options and what the next steps forward are.

Contact the Onebright team today to explore how they can help your child by completing the form on this page: https://onebright.com/children-and-young-people/