Fact: Mental illness can affect anyone, no matter what their age! Very often, the first signs of mental illness begins to appear during childhood and therefore, paying close attention to mental health during these developmental years is key.
Fact: There is no one cause for mental illnesses in any individuals. Mental illnesses are a complex play of biological factors (genes, hormones and development), psychological (personality type, temperament, etc.) and social factors (environment, upbringing etc.)- and parenting is only one of the factors among many.
Fact: It’s true that some children who experience mental illnesses may act in ways that are unexpected or seem strange to others. They may become aggressive, violent and restless, or they may become extremely quiet and reclusive. We need to remember that the illness, not the child is responsible for these behaviours. No one chooses to experience a mental illness. Children who experience a change in their behaviour due to a mental illness may feel extremely embarrassed or ashamed around others.