Every Child Deserves to Rise & Shine: Recognizing Early Signs They May Need Support
- lashell273
- May 11
- 4 min read
During Mental Health Awareness Month, we pause to shine a light on what our children might be trying to tell us. At Rise and Shine Counseling, we believe every child has strengths, talents, and a light waiting to flourish, even when life feels heavy.
Children experience big feelings just like adults do. Yet unlike adults, they sometimes lack the words to express what they’re struggling with. When unaddressed, emotional wounds can grow quietly. But when we notice early and respond with compassion, we can help kids rise through the struggles and begin to shine again.
How Common Are Mental Health Struggles in Children?
The numbers tell us something important: our children’s emotional experiences matter and they're more common than we may think.
📌 1 in 5 children ages 3–17 has a diagnosed mental, emotional, or behavioral condition (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2025). This means many of our kids are wrestling with challenges that affect how they feel, learn, and behave every day.
Here’s a closer look at what that means:
Anxiety disorders affect about 11% of children (CDC, 2025).
These are worries that go beyond “normal fears”. These worries can and do interfere with daily life.
ADHD has been diagnosed in approximately 11% of children (CDC, 2024).
ADHD often brings struggles with focus, sitting still, or completing tasks.
Depression affects around 4% of children (CDC, 2025).
Depression can cause deep sadness or withdrawal that lingers rather than coming and going.
These statistics aren’t labels. These statistics are reminders that no child is immune to emotional overwhelm, and no family should walk through these experiences alone.
What Early Signs Might Look Like
Because children express distress through behavior as much as words, the signs we notice may be subtle at first. Here are signs that often show up when a child might benefit from supportive therapy:
Deep or lingering mood changes
Children who feel persistently sad, become easily frustrated, or seem unusually irritable for weeks at a time may be struggling internally, even if they don’t say it out loud. And remember, if these feelings start to feel “normal” to your child, they might not realize that what they’re experiencing isn’t how everyone else feels.
Constant worry or avoidance
When worry stops play, disrupts sleep, or keeps a child from trying new things, it could signal an anxiety pattern that needs attention.
Difficulty concentrating or restlessness
Some children may be labeled "distracted" or "hyper", but behind these behaviors could be a genuine struggle with regulating attention, impulsivity, or rapid thoughts.
Changes in sleep or appetite
Too much sleep, too little sleep, or sudden changes in eating habits, when not medically explained, can be a sign of emotional changes in your child.
Loss of interest in what they used to love
A child who used to be curious, playful, or engaged but becomes withdrawn may be pulling inward due to internal stress or fears.
Severe stress or talking about self-harm or harming others
If your child talks about hurting themselves or others, or expresses thoughts that sound scary or hopeless, this is a moment to reach out for immediate help. Calling 988 or going to the closest emergency center can provide the support and safety they need right away.
Why Early Support Matters
We don’t encourage therapy because something is “wrong.” We encourage therapy because every child deserves tools and space to grow with confidence, resilience, and joy. Therapy helps children understand their emotions, build healthy coping skills, and strengthen the connections that matter most.
In an environment rooted in compassion and understanding, where they are seen, heard, and valued, children can learn that they are not defined by their struggles but shaped by how they rise through them.
A Message of Hope
This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s remember: our children’s emotional experiences are real, and they matter. When we give them understanding, support, and early intervention, we help them reclaim their confidence, grow into themselves, and shine, not despite life’s challenges, but because they learned how to rise through them.
You’re not alone in this journey, and together, we can help every child rise and shine.
Steps You Can Take
If your heart tells you that something feels “off,” trust that instinct. Even small steps can make a big impact:
❤️ Talk to your child with curiosity and patience, not judgment.
❤️ Reach out to your pediatrician to talk about what you’re seeing.
❤️ Connect with a child-focused therapist who will meet your child with empathy and safety.
Therapy isn’t a sign of defeat. Therapy is a sign of strength, hope, and intentional care.
Looking for Support? Rise and Shine Counseling Is Here to Help
If you’re noticing signs that your child may benefit from extra emotional or social support, play therapy can be a powerful and gentle way to help them grow. Our child-centered approach creates a safe, supportive space where kids can express themselves, build confidence, and learn healthy coping skills, all through developmentally-appropriate play.
This June, we’re also excited to launch our Brave Buddies Social Group, a fun and engaging play-based program designed to help children build friendship skills, practice communication, manage big feelings, and grow their confidence in a supportive environment.
If you’d like to learn more about play therapy or reserve a spot for your child in Brave Buddies Social Group, we’d love to connect with you.
You can reach us through our website: Rise and Shine Counseling
Together, we can help your child rise, grow, and shine. 🌈
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, June 5). Data and statistics on children's mental health. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/data-research/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, November 19). Data and statistics on ADHD. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/data/index.html
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