Why Your Children’s Mental Health is Just as Important as Their Physical Health

Mental health is just as important as physical health. For a child, achieving this balance is key to their future success and well-being. Giving both these aspects equal importance enables children to focus in class, build strong friendships, and cope with difficult situations.

This guide will walk you through the state of children’s mental health today and what you, as a parent, can do to support their journey to being mentally and physically well.

Children's Mental Health - An Overview

Childhood mental health conditions affect many families across the United States. In fact, 1 in 7 children between 3 and 17 are diagnosed with a mental or behavioral condition in any given year [*]. Anxiety and depression have also shown a notable increase in recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

While many of these children require mental health services, only about 20% receive the appropriate help [*]. In particular, children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds experience a disproportionately higher need for professional help, yet don’t receive it.

Because of the state of children’s mental health in the United States, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) has declared it a national emergency [*]. It has exerted efforts into increased funding, training, and awareness.

The Link Between a Child’s Mental and Physical Health

A child’s mental and physical health are intrinsically related and can affect one another. When children have good physical health through regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and sufficient sleep, they are also mentally well, have higher energy levels, and enjoy a more positive mood.

Similarly, a child’s mental health can affect them physically. Conditions like depression and anxiety can cause headaches, fatigue, and digestive problems [*]. Children who aren’t motivated might neglect their self-care habits or struggle to concentrate on their daily responsibilities.

Studies have also confirmed that individuals with untreated mental health conditions live 10 to 25 years shorter and may even experience chronic illnesses [*].

Why a Child’s Mental Health Deserves Equal Focus

A child’s mental health is just as vital as their physical health. We’ve already established that they are interconnected, but why does this matter?

Ignoring one aspect of your child’s health, whether physical or mental, can lead to long-term consequences in their adulthood, academic life, and professional career. Focusing on your child’s mental health also shapes their learning and social skills. Addressing their issues can improve their ability to concentrate, interact with peers, and manage emotions in challenging situations.

From a broader perspective, neglecting the children’s mental health crisis can have surprising societal impacts, such as increased healthcare costs, reduced workplace productivity, and a higher chance of substance use. When we consider the effects of mental health on children, we destigmatize the problem. We also put families in a better position to receive the help they need.

Signs Your Child Might Be Struggling

Children demonstrate their mental issues differently depending on their age. Toddlers and preschoolers might not express themselves verbally and instead show signs of withdrawal, such as refusing to play with their toys or losing interest in activities they usually love.

In teenagers, you might notice changes in their sleeping habits, weight, appearance, and everyday patterns. They might cancel plans with their friends or experience a sudden and significant drop in academic performance.

Emotional signs your child might be struggling with their mental health include:

• Persistent sadness or depression lasting at least a few weeks
• Excessive worry and anxiety that interfere with daily activities
• Rapid and severe mood swings
• Self-blame or feeling guilty or unworthy

Behavioral signs you might notice include:

• Significant increases or decreases in sleep and appetite
• Frequent temper tantrums and bad moods
• Inability to focus on tasks
• Engaging in risky or harmful activities
• Complaints about physical symptoms like headaches and stomachaches

Ways to Support Your Child’s Mental Health

As a parent, your role in your child’s life can significantly influence how they manage themselves. Children who receive parental support are more diligent about self-care and are comfortable asking for help. Here is what you can do to support your child’s mental health.

Encourage open communication

Listening and being there can go a long way when your child is going through a hard time. However, you don’t want to bombard your child with questions. Instead, pick a relaxed moment to approach the subject and use conversation starters to get the ball rolling.

Always stay calm and allow your child to open up at a comfortable pace. Offer hope and reassurance while affirming their emotions. Doing a daily feelings check-in and listening to your child’s concerns can also encourage them to open up when they need support.

Need more ideas for discussing your child’s emotions with them? Other ways to do a feelings check-in include creating feelings masks, using emotion emoji cards, and asking questions to prompt thoughtful answers.

Build a supportive and nurturing home environment

Children confide in their parents when they feel safe at home. Creating a supportive home environment means spending time with your child and engaging in activities they enjoy. For example, you might carve out time each day to do crafts together, read books, or play their favorite games.

Teach coping strategies and emotional resilience

Building emotional resilience teaches kids to bounce back even during tough times. As they grow older, they won’t always have access to parental support, so building resilience early can prepare them for the future.

Learning resilience involves understanding how to solve problems. For instance, if your child encounters a bully at school or gets into an argument with a friend, you can help them brainstorm healthy ways to respond and understand when it’s time to seek help from a trusted adult.

Promote healthy routines

Promoting healthy mental health habits means setting predictable and consistent routines. Setting regular bedtimes, modeling healthy habits, and involving your child in the process can bring balance to their lives.

Setting safe boundaries doesn’t mean limiting your child. Instead, you can engage the process by incorporating a reward system to make developing these healthy habits more enjoyable.

Work with mental health professionals when needed

There may come a time when your child’s mental health issues require intervention from a professional. Therapists can help children through family problems, bullying, school troubles, and health issues.

Mental health professionals help your child manage their issues through various methods, such as talk therapy, activities like mindfulness, learning new skills, and solving problems.

The Bottom Line

Prioritizing your child’s mental and physical health is an investment in their future and ability to stay resilient, confident, and successful.

Explore our collection of worksheets to find other ways to support your child’s mental health.

Sources:

1. “National Survey of Children's Health Mental and Behavioral Health, 2018-2019.” HRSA Maternal and Child Health, 2020.
2. “Children’s mental health.” American Psychological Association, 2025.
3. AAP News. “AAP, AACAP, CHA declare national emergency in children’s mental health.” American Academy of Pediatrics, 2021.
4. O’Loughlin R, Hiscock H, Pan T, Devlin N, Dalziel K. “The relationship between physical and mental health multimorbidity and children’s health-related quality of life.” Quality of Life Research, 2022.
5. Fiorillo A, Girolamo G de, Simunovic IF, et al. “The relationship between physical and mental health: an update from the WPA Working Group on Managing Comorbidity of Mental and Physical Health.” World Psychiatry, 2023.