Is This Just a Phase?

When kids deal with boo-boos, sugar crashes, hormones, and just life, it can be hard to understand how serious it is. We help you tap into what's going on in those little minds

- Rhynhardt Krynauw

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in six children aged 2-8 has a mental, behavioural or developmental disorder. The numbers for mental and behavioural disorders, in particular, increase to almost one in three as they grow older. But with everything going on these days, how do you know when it's just a phase or something more serious?

UPS AND DOWNS

Certain kids will be at a higher risk of mental health issues. Discrimination based on their gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ethnic origin or economic status - or just other kids being bullies - understandably causes young people tremendous stress. This only gets compounded as they grow older and are faced with social stresses, romantic feelings and trying to figure out who they are. It's natural, then, for any parent to wonder whether their kids' ups and downs and behavioural quirks are typical, or indicative of something, well, atypical.