Noticing Mental Health Concerns for Your Child Worksheet

Last updated: January 14, 2025

As a parent/caregiver, you know your child best, and you are often the first to notice when they might be having difficulty with their mental health. Perhaps you have noticed a change in their emotions, behaviour, or development.

On the sheet, you can note aspects of the changes you have noticed, including: 

• NATURE of the concern: What signs are you noticing? What have you observed? 
• DURATION: When did you first start noticing these signs? Has it been days? Weeks? Months?   
  • Has it been a gradual or sudden change?  
  • Did the change happen at the same time as any major life events? 
• INTENSITY: How intense are the emotions or behaviours you’re noticing?  
  • Are they typical for their age and stage of development? If no, are the concerns mild, moderate, or more serious?  

• FREQUENCY: How frequently do you notice the concern?  
  • Is this something you notice daily, weekly, or occasionally? 
  • Does it coincide with any events, times, or situations? 

• IMPACT:  How is this concern impacting your child and their daily life?  
  • Are they struggling to do schoolwork?
  • Are their relationships with friends or family suffering? 
  • Are they less interested in things they once enjoyed? 
  • Are they having trouble eating or sleeping? 

If your answers indicate the concerns are long-lasting (more than two weeks), intense, frequent, or are impacting your child’s functioning at home, school, or in the community, your child may be experiencing a mental health problem.  

Next steps include talking with your child about what you’ve noticed, and/or seeking the guidance of a regulated mental health professional (e.g., social worker, psychologist). 

Note: Please refer to the PDF version to complete the worksheet and for further descriptions and information.