Worried about your child's mental health? How to spot the warning signs and get support

At a glance

• Children may need mental health support if you notice:
• Changes in mood or behaviour
• Becoming withdrawn from family, friends or activities they usually enjoy
• Problems with sleep or changes in eating habits
• School refusal, avoidance or a sudden drop in performance
• Frequent physical complaints such as tummy aches, headaches or a tight chest

Remember: Every child is different. The most important thing is noticing changes from what is normal for your child. If you're concerned, speaking to your child's school, GP or a mental health professional can help you access support early.

Supporting a child’s mental health can feel overwhelming, especially when signs are difficult to spot.

Between school pressures, social media, disrupted sleep and the constant noise of online life, children and teens are navigating challenges that can affect how they think, feel and cope day to day.

According to Emily Ryan, Educational Mental Health Practitioner from The Sandbox from Mindler, anxiety is one of the biggest themes showing up among children and young people.

“The main presentation we tend to see is anxiety, and this comes in many forms. Some of the most common include school-based anxiety and health anxiety, particularly emetophobia, which is a fear of vomiting.”

For parents and carers, knowing what to look out for and where to turn for support can make a real difference.

Here, our experts share the early signs to be aware of and simple ways to help.

How can I tell if my child needs mental health support?

If you’re supporting a child or teen, you know worry doesn’t wait for a convenient moment.

And you’re not alone. Vitality research, conducted by Opinium among 2,000 UK adults in April 2026, found that 73% of parents and carers worry about their children’s mental health.

Today, children, teens and young adults are growing up in a fast-paced, always-online world, which brings new pressures from social media to disrupted sleep and constant comparison.

And with AI increasingly built into apps and platforms young people use every day, the digital world can feel even harder for parents and carers to navigate, making open conversations and trusted support even more important.

Parents and carers concerned about their child's wellbeing can explore children's mental health support.

Dr Arun Thiyagarajan, CEO of VitalityHealth UK, shares that: “In 2023, around one in five children and young people aged eight to 25 in England had a probable mental health condition”.

And findings show nearly one-third of children have missed school (or refused to go) in the past year due to anxiety, stress, low mood or feeling overwhelmed, with one in 10 saying it's happened on multiple occasions.

For some children, anxiety can show up as avoidance, especially when school itself feels overwhelming.

“A common sign of anxiety is avoidance of triggers. This might look like refusal to attend school or to engage with the situation causing the anxiety,” says Ryan.

What are the signs of poor mental health in children and teens?

Signs to look out for in teens:

• Changes in mood
• Becoming more withdrawn
• Problems with sleep
• Losing interest in hobbies, socialising or activities they used to enjoy
• A sudden drop in school performance

In younger children, signs can sometimes be harder to spot. Look out for:

• Frequent or intense tantrums
• Increased aggression and restlessness
• Changes to sleeping and eating habits
• Strong fears or distress when separated from caregivers; particularly if these last for more than a week
• Complaints of tummy aches, headaches and a tight chest

For younger children, emotional distress can sometimes come out physically.

“Parents and caregivers may hear more complaints of physical symptoms such as tummy aches, headaches and a tight chest,” explains Ryan.

“This is particularly common in young children who don’t yet have the emotional literacy needed to describe their mental state.”

Every child is different, so warning signs will not always look the same. What matters most is noticing a shift in what is normal for your child.

Ryan says, “the key thing to look out for is a change in your child’s presentation from their normal.”

When should I ask for help?

Needing extra support doesn’t mean you’re doing a bad job, and it doesn’t automatically mean something is “serious” or “clinical”.

It can simply mean your child needs the right help at the right time, whether that’s small changes at home, trusted digital tools, or speaking to a mental health expert.

Getting support early can help stop worries from becoming harder to manage.

Ryan says that like with our physical health, early intervention is key in ensuring young people can access the support they need prior to the difficulty developing into something worse that is harder to treat.

Awareness and understanding of children's mental health has improved in recent years, helping more families recognise warning signs and access support earlier.

Ways to support your child’s mental health

“Creating a loving, nurturing relationship is without a doubt the best thing a parent or caregiver can do for a child’s mental health,” Ryan concludes.

Here are five ways to support your child's mental health:

1. Creating space for conversation

Let your child know it’s safe to talk about their feelings. You don’t need to have all the answers. Listening without judgement and taking their feelings seriously can make a huge difference.

2. Keep routines where possible

Regular sleep, meals, school and activities create a sense of stability, which can feel very reassuring when emotions are big or overwhelming.

3. Get help early

If concerns persist, speak to your child’s school or your GP. They can listen, offer advice and help you access additional support if needed.

4. Use trusted resources

Lean on trusted support like Sandbox from Mindler and YoungMinds, for reliable information and resources to guide parents and carers, including what to look out for and next steps if you're worried about a child.

5. Look after yourself too

Supporting a struggling child can be emotionally demanding, and taking care of your own wellbeing helps you stay resilient and better able to support them.

Related: how to help your child cope with back to school anxiety