March 22, 2023

Parenting and Youth Mental Health: You’re Not Alone

Sunny Patel, MD, MPH

Senior Medical Advisor

Center for Mental Health Services 

Liz Sweet

Public Health Advisor

Office of Recovery
Challenges & Rewards of Parenting

Steps for Effective Parenting

Child & Youth Mental Health 

When & How to Get Help

Overview
Disclaimer: For this presentation, “parenting” is used broadly to represent those 

who may fill those roles and “families” is also meant inclusively, referring to all 

individuals with responsibility for a young person (including parents, stepparents, 

guardians, foster families, grand families, kinship families, chosen families, older 

siblings, or other caregivers).

Purpose: Every child, every parent, and every family is unique and there isn’t one 

right way to parent. Caring for every child’s mental health is an important 

component of parenting, as positive mental health is essential to a child’s healthy 

development. Confident, well-informed parents make better parenting decisions, 

benefiting the family system. Today’s presentation will include information on 

children’s mental health and discuss how to get help should your family need.
Challenges & Rewards of Parenting

Steps for Effective Parenting

Child & Youth Mental Health 

When & How to Get Help

Parenting and Youth Mental Health: You’re Not Alone
Challenges of Parenting
Rewards of Parenting

Parenting can feel unrewarding at times, but with challenges come moments of joy too.
Challenges & Rewards of Parenting

Steps for Effective Parenting

Child & Youth Mental Health 

When & How to Get Help

Parenting and Youth Mental Health: You’re Not Alone
The Three Tasks of Parenting
Parenting Styles
• Praise accomplishments, however small, to boost child’s self-esteem.

• Set limits and be consistent with your discipline.

• Make time for your kids. 

• Be a good role model. 

• Make communication a priority. 

• Show that your love is unconditional. 

• Know your own needs and limitations as a parent. 

Effective Parenting
Challenges & Rewards of Parenting

Steps for Effective Parenting

Child & Youth Mental Health 

When & How to Get Help

Parenting and Youth Mental Health: You’re Not Alone
Child & Youth Mental Health

• All children experience sadness, 

anxiety, and irritability at times, and 

they may occasionally find it 

challenging to sit still, pay attention, 

or interact with others.

• In most cases, these experiences 

capture typical developmental 

phases. However, sometimes the 

depth or duration of these 

behaviors may indicate a more 

serious problem in children.
Child & Youth Mental Health

Mental disorders can begin in childhood. Examples include anxiety disorders, 

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, 

depression and other mood disorders, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress 

disorder (PTSD). Without treatment, these mental health conditions can prevent 

children from reaching their full potential.

Mental illnesses in parents represent a risk factor for children in the family. 

These children have a higher risk for developing mental illnesses than other 

children. When both parents struggle with mental health issues, the chance is 

even greater that the child might as well. An inconsistent, unpredictable family 

environment also impacts the mental health of children.
The Data

• ~ 20% of children and adolescents have a diagnosable mental, 

emotional, or behavioral disorder. 

• Half of all mental illnesses emerge by the time a child turns 14,

– 75% by the time a person is 24. 

• Death by suicide is the second leading cause of death for 

individuals ages 10-34 in the United States.
The Data

– 1 in 11 children were diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety problems.

– 1 in 5 youth aged 12-17 had experienced a major depressive 

episode.

– About 7 in 100,000 children aged 10-19 died by suicide (2018-2019).

– Some populations are more affected due to social determinants of 

health such as poverty, access to education, and geographic area, 

resulting in health inequities.

The CDC released a report on children’s mental 

health using data from 2013–2019. 
The 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)

Findings among youth aged 12 to 17 in 2021:

– 20.1% had a past year major depressive episode (MDE). 

– Of these, nearly 75% had symptoms consistent with severe impairment. 

– More than half of these youth did not receive treatment in the past year.

– These youth were more likely than those without a past year MDE to have 

used illicit drugs in the past year (27.7% versus 10.7%).

– Nearly half (45.1%) perceived that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively 

affected their mental health “quite a bit or a lot.”

Additional findings among youth aged 12 to 17 in 2021: 

– 8.5% had a substance use disorder.

– 12.7% had serious thoughts of suicide.

– 5.9% made a suicide plan.

– 3.4% attempted suicide in the past year.

The Data
The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic

The pandemic substantially worsened this pre-existing epidemic, 

particularly for children, youth, and families.

– Depression and anxiety doubled in youth compared to pre-pandemic levels.

– More than 279,000 U.S. children have experienced the death of a primary or 

secondary caregiver due to COVID, with children of color disproportionately 

impacted. 

– The CDC released new data from the Adolescent Behaviors and Experience Survey 

(ABES) indicating that more than 1 in 3 high school students experienced poor mental 

health during the pandemic and nearly half of students felt persistently sad or 

hopeless.
Child & Youth Mental Health

Talking to children about mental illness can be an 

opportunity for parents to provide their children with 

information, support, and guidance. 

Learning about mental illnesses can lead to improved 

recognition, earlier treatment, greater understanding and 

compassion, and decreased stigma, particularly if the child 

and their family is part of a culture where talking about 

mental illness is considered taboo.
Parents are naturally concerned about the health and wellbeing 

of their children. Many parents correctly and comfortably see 

their child’s development and behavior as normal. 

However, some parents worry whether their infant, child, or 

teenager has a problem. Parents, better than anyone else, know 

their child and know what is usual behavior for their child. 

Keeping track of behaviors and being aware of common signs and 

symptoms of mental health issues can help you seek appropriate 

care to support your child.

“Typical” or Not?
Children’s Mental Health 

“Mental health disorders in children are generally 

defined as delays or disruptions in developing ageappropriate thinking, behaviors, social skills or 

regulation of emotions. 

These problems are distressing to children and disrupt 

their ability to function well at home, in school or in 

other social situations.”

Mayo Clinic
The website & app feature: 

• Milestone checklists in multiple languages for children ages 2 

months through 5 years; 

• The ability to complete a checklist using corrected age for 

children born prematurely; 

• Photos and videos to help parents and caregivers recognize 

milestones;

• Tips and activities for supporting early development; 

• An easy way to share developmental progress with their 

healthcare provider and others; and

• Appointment and developmental screening reminders.

Developmental Milestones

Your child’s early years are very important. Tracking how your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves helps 

you support their development. The CDC’s Milestone Tracker provides a fun and easy way for parents and 

caregivers to track and support their child’s early development, as well as share progress with professionals and 

act early if concerns arise.

Tell your child’s medical provider if you notice any of these signs of possible developmental delay for your 

child’s age, and talk with someone in your community who is familiar with services for young children in your 

area, such as your state’s public early intervention program.
Challenges & Rewards of Parenting

Steps for Effective Parenting

Child & Youth Mental Health 

When & How to Get Help

Parenting and Youth Mental Health: You’re Not Alone
Signs & Symptoms

• Drastic changes in mood, behavior, or personality;

• Changes in eating habits and/or weight;

• Difficulty sleeping, oversleeping, or having nightmares;

• Frequent headaches or stomachaches;

• Difficulty concentrating;

• Changes in academic performance;

• Avoiding or missing school;

• Persistent disobedience or aggression;

• Frequent temper tantrums;

• Persistent sadness that lasts two weeks or more;

• Withdrawing from or avoiding social interactions;

• Increased risky behaviors; or

• Hurting oneself or talking about hurting oneself or others.

Children can develop the same mental health conditions as adults, but their symptoms 

may be different. The following signs may indicate the need for professional help:

How intense and 

how persistent are 

these behaviors?

Is this age

appropriate?

Do these behaviors 

interfere with my 

child’s life?
Signs & Symptoms

The observable behaviors can help you decide what action to 

take.

– Keep a list of behaviors that are of concern;

– Speak to your child or teen about the main concerns;

– Listen to their responses without interrupting; and

– Let your child or teen know that you will help work through the

difficulties together.
How to Get Help

If you are concerned about 

your child’s mental health, 

you can start by talking with 

others who frequently 

interact with your child. 

Early treatment can help prevent more severe, lasting 

problems as a child grows up. 
How to Get Help
How to Offer Support
For more resources related to child, youth, and family mental health, the following websites 

contain useful articles, guides, toolkits, and webinars.

• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)

• American Psychiatric Association (APA)

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Developmental Milestones Tracker

• Child Mind Institute’s Parenting Guides

• Mental Health America’s (MHA) Fact Sheets & Toolkits

• MentalHealth.gov

• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)

• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s (NCTSN) Resource Page

• National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health

• National Institute of Mental Health’s (NIMH) Brochures and Fact Sheets

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Resources Page

• The Trauma & Grief (TAG) Center at The Hackett Center for Mental Health’s Virtual Learning 

Library 

Additional Resources


Challenges & Rewards of Parenting

Steps for Effective Parenting

Child & Youth Mental Health 

When & How to Get Help

Parenting and Youth Mental Health: You’re Not Alone
Thank You

SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance 

use and mental illness on America’s communities.

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www.samhsa.gov

1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727) ● 1-800-487-4889 (TDD)