Robin Williams, Depression, and 4 Things You Must Know About Your Child’s Mental Health

Since Monday, the world has mourned the death of Robin Williams. At first, I actually thought it couldn’t be true, but as the reports continued, I was shocked to hear that the quintessential comedian and actor of my childhood was no longer with us. Robin Williams was larger-than-life and brought so much joy. I can’t think about Mrs. Doubtfire without laughing, Hook was one of my very favorites growing up, and his role of the Genie in Aladdin was genius. Robin touched the lives of so many. We collectively as a country loved him. How could this happen?

As the tragedy of his suicide set in, there has been a firestorm of debate surrounding mental illness and how it is perceived and addressed in the country. Robin had openly struggled with depression and addiction throughout his lifetime. After going to school to become a nurse practitioner, I received a further certification as a pediatric mental health specialist. I did this because there is a huge need for mental health services, not just in adults, but in my opinion, especially in our children. We can learn from Robin’s death, and we need to learn for the sake of our children.

1. Mental Illness in Children is Real.

It is so, so real. A majority of people who suffer from mental illness will show signs and symptoms by the time they reach adolescence. In fact, research shows that half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14. I see it every day in my patients. These are statistics that parents need to know.

• 13 –20% of children living in the United States experience a mental disorder in a given year. That means 1 out of 5 children are suffering from a mental illness.
• Approximately 11% of adolescents have a depressive disorder by age 18. That is more than 1 out of 10 adolescents.
• About 8% of teens ages 13-18 have an anxiety disorder, with symptoms commonly emerging around age 6.
• The rate of bipolar symptoms among U.S. teens is nearly as high as the rate found among adults.
• Each year in the U.S., approximately 2 million adolescents attempt suicide, and almost 700,000 receive medical attention for their attempt.
• In the U.S., between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death. Approximately 4,600 lives are lost each year.

What does this mean? It means your children, your nieces and nephews, your friend’s kids and your children’s classmates are at risk or possibly suffering from mental illness. Mental illness in children is real. Share these statistics with your family and friends so they can also be aware.

2. Take the Signs Seriously

Sadly, approximately 80% of children with mental illness aren’t being treated or helped at all. Why is this? Obviously, this is a multi-faceted issue, but primarily, I think most parents truly don’t notice, or if they do, they downplay their child’s symptoms. Why is this? Unfortunately, your child isn’t born with a parenting manual. Every parent with a toddler usually has to adjust to some serious mood swings from the very beginning. One minute, your daughter falls down and it’s the end of the world. The next minute, you offer her a popsicle and she goes euphoric! So as your child ages, when do normal emotional swings change into something clinical? When is a certain behavior developmentally normal, and when it is a red flag for concern? For parents, the mental state of your child is not always a black and white issue. It is usually gray.  And when it comes to soft signs of mental health issues, parents often downplay them simply because that is what they are used to. Example: many children will complain of their stomach hurting a million times (and usually still be bouncing off the walls). If you didn’t downplay there little symptoms, you would be in the doctor’s office every time your child simply needs to have a bowel movement! So parents use terms like, “He’s just hyper,” “She’s just moody,” “This is just a phase,” “My child has always been emotional.” Parents always hope for the best for their child, and rightfully so. It is very difficult for parents to identify and acknowledge mental health symptoms in their own child. Just like mood swings or tummy aches, it is easy to think/hope that your child or adolescent is going through a passing phase. But that just may not be the case. It is so crucial that parents familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms of mental health illness so you can identify it if it starts affecting your child. And if you do see it happening, don’t downplay it. Take action. Your child’s life could depend on it. Learn more here.

3. Listen to Your Healthcare Provider.

If you are concerned about your child, please, please go to your pediatric health provider. No concern is too small or too big. You don’t have to diagnose your child, let us help you! That is our job as trained health professionals. Also, if we recommend that your child would benefit from counselling, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist, please listen. So often I recommend that to parents and I’m met with resistance. We only recommend it if we truly believe your child would benefit from therapy. We recognize that your child could be the 1 in 5 that needs mental health services. If we treated childhood mental health illness in this county the same way we aggressively treat strep throat or ear infections, the children in this country would be much healthier.

4. Don’t Shame Your Child.

This is so important. There is undoubtedly a stigma surrounding mental health illness. If your child struggles with a mental health illness, you are the key to changing the stigma. When your child tells you about his or her symptoms, do not invite shame into the equation. Do not make him or her feel like a burden for feeling the way they do or being diagnosed with a specific illness. I strongly believe that if a child is shamed from his or her parents, that shame can follow him or her for years. Stay positive. Stay supportive. Encourage your child in every way that you can. That will pave your child’s road to healing and health.

Robin William’s death is a tragedy. We must learn to openly discuss mental health illnesses with our children, protect them, and provide the support that they need.

Carpe diem. Let’s seize the day for childhood mental health together.