It is estimated that 20% of children will experience mental health problems (Target, M. & Fonagy, P. (1996)). These include anxiety and fear, disruptiveness, loss of interest in friends and activities and lack of confidence. These problems may pass, but if they continue over a longer period of time help needs to be sought.

Around 10% of children are affected more severe and complex issues which interfere with everyday life that need specialist help. (Meltzer, H., Gatward, R., Goodman, R., et al. (2000)).

Risk factors

It is usual for a child to have more than one of the risk factors to develop mental health issues. As with adults chidren will react to differently to situations, what one child may seem to take in their stride another will struggle with, for example a parental split may greatly distress one child whereas another may cope well with it.

• Temperament
• Physical illness
• Developmental delay
• Family breakdown
• Harsh and inconsistent/unclear discipline
• Abuse
• Poverty
• Discrimination
• Major disaster