Children’s Mental Health Week is wrapping up but the important messaging never ends.
FIREFLY in Kenora/Rainy River says it’s clear the pandemic has been especially challenging for children, youth and their families.
The organization is asking adults to monitor signs of mental struggles in the younger population and offers some tips on what you should look for:
1. Extreme outbursts or excessive mood swings: Anger can be a natural reaction to a stressor or situation, but ongoing and persistent outbursts in your child may be a sign of an underlying mental health concern.
2. Changes in appetite: Short periods of change in appetite can be part of normal childhood development. However, routine or ritualized changes in eating habits can be a response to an issue of larger concern.
3. Unusually quiet, sad, or reserved: Similar to anger, sadness or moments of quiet reservation can be a response to something happening in your child or youth’s life. Persistent, unshakeable sadness, however, is a reason to reach out for support.
4. Persistent nightmares or lack of sleep: Recurring trouble with having a restful sleep or persistent nightmares can affect your child’s day and mood. If you’re noticing this is becoming an ongoing issue, it could be a reason to reach out for support.
FIREFLY continues to offer a number of free supports and services with professional child and youth workers, social workers, psychotherapists, psychologists and psychiatrists.
They also provide counselling, both in-person, virtual or over the phone.
There’s also a virtual walk-in clinic on Thursdays from 9am-4pm.
Families can quickly access a child and youth mental health worker for single sessions by calling for a same day appointment.
For more information visit FIREFLY or call 1-833-696-5437 or email: intake@fireflynw.ca
