Children, teenagers and family mental health

If worries, sadness, anger or behaviour changes last for weeks, affect school, sleep or friendships, or your child talks about hurting themselves, it is worth speaking to a professional.

Yes. Children and teenagers can experience anxiety, depression, OCD and other difficulties, often showing them through behaviour or physical complaints.

For many children and teenagers, yes, usually with a parent involved, especially for younger children. Some professionals specialise in child and family work.

Therapists usually share general progress with parents but keep a young person's details private, unless there is a safety concern. They will explain this at the start.

Stay calm, acknowledge their feelings, encourage them to face fears gradually rather than avoid them, and model calm coping yourself.

Irritability, withdrawal, falling grades, sleeping a lot or very little, losing interest in friends and hobbies, and sometimes self-harm.

Choose a calm moment, start with physical or practical terms if that feels easier, be specific about what you need, and consider having a trusted adult with you.

Yes. Family sessions can improve communication, reduce conflict and help everyone understand each other's pressures.

Listen calmly, reassure them it is not their fault, keep a record, contact the school, and watch for signs of anxiety or low mood.

Yes. Some professionals on Therapy O'Clock work with children and families in Urdu, Punjabi and English, which helps when grandparents or parents prefer their own language.

Children's mental health is shaped by many things, including temperament, school and life events. Seeking help is a sign of good parenting, not failure.