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Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health

Home and family-related causes

Bereavements, parental illness (including mental illness), and divorce are also
frequent causes of stress and anxiety. These life events often result in a change
of location, house move and school changes as well which adds to the problem
for the child.
Many young people are tempted to experiment with a range of substances that
affect their minds and feelings. Although these substances may well make the young
person feel good at first, it is easy to end up with a problem, especially if the use of
the substances is associated with helping to cope with a difficult situation or with
stress and anxiety. Pressure from friends to continue using can also add to the
stress and the person may end up using more frequently as a result.

Many serious case reviews have noted the harm caused to the children of substance
misusing parents. In 2003, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs published its
far reaching report entitled Hidden Harm, in which they noted that:

‘The adverse consequences for children are typically multiple and cumulative
and will vary according to the child’s stage of development. They include failure
to thrive; blood-borne virus infections; incomplete immunisation and otherwise
inadequate healthcare; a wide range of emotional, cognitive, behavioural and
other psychological problems; early substance misuse and offending behaviour;
and poor educational attainment. These can range greatly in severity and may
often be subtle and difficult to detect.’

Source: Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) published its report
entitled, Hidden Harm; 2003

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