Like adults, young people can have mental health problems that interfere with the way they feel, think, and act. When untreated, mental health problems can lead to school failure, family and peer conflicts, substance abuse, violence, and even suicide.

Children with mental health issues need to get help as soon as possible. A variety of signs may point to mental health disorders or serious emotional disturbances in children. Pay attention if your child or a child you know has any of these warning signs:

A child is troubled by feeling:

1. Sad and hopeless for no apparent reason, and these feelings do not go away.

2. Very angry most of the time, crying a lot, or overreacting to things.

3. Worthless, guilty, anxious or worried often.

4. Unable to adjust to the loss or death of someone important.

5. Extremely fearful or having unexplained fears.

6. Constantly concerned about physical ailments or physical appearance.

7. Scared that his/her mind is out of control or is being controlled.

A child experiences big changes, such as:

1. Showing a decline in school performance.

2. Losing interest in activities once enjoyed.

3. Experiencing unexplained changes in eating or sleeping patterns.

4. Excessive daydreaming and not completing tasks.

5. Avoiding friends and family and wanting to be alone all the time.

6. Feeling that life is too hard to handle.

7. Seeing things or hearing voices that cannot be explained.

8. Experiencing suicidal thoughts.

A child experiences:

1. Poor concentration and is unable to think straight or make up his or her mind.

2. An inability to sit still and focus attention.

3. Worry about being harmed or hurting others.

4. A need to wash, clean things, or perform certain routines excessively each day to avoid an unsubstaniated danger.

5. Racing thoughts.

6. Persistent nightmares.

A child behaves in ways that causes problems, such as:

1. Using alcohol or other drugs.

2. Dieting and/or exercising excessively.

3. Eating large amounts of food and then purging, or abusing laxatives, to avoid weight gain.

4. Violating the rights of others or constantly breaking the law.

5. Setting fires.

6. Engaging in activities that can be life threatening.

7. Torturing or killing animals.