Child and Teen Mental Health Risk Factors

Each phase of development naturally brings specific challenges for children and teens. They tend to work through these as a normal part of growing up. However, mental health conditions, neurodiversity, and life events can make these challenges harder. These could have been traumatic events, such as being bullied. They can also be routine, like moving to a new home. They may or may not express what they are experiencing which requires parents, caregivers, teachers be more attuned to early quite signals.

Some events that may impact a child or teen’s mental health include but not limited within:

• The birth of a sibling

• The death of a loved one, such as a family member or a pet

• Physical or sexual abuse

• Poverty or homelessness

• Natural disaster

• Domestic violence

• Moving to a new place or attending a new school

• Being bullied

• Taking on more responsibility than is age-appropriate

• Parental divorce or separation

• Body image issues

• Dating

• Identity confusion

• Collective trauma

Let me know in the comments, what are the contributing factors that you think may impact children/teens mental health?