Why Stigma Around Mental Health in Children in Care Matters

Posted on February 25th, 2025

Mental health is often perceived through a clouded lens, leading to an environment where discussions are either hushed or hastily concluded. Imagine walking through life carrying an invisible weight, a weight that society unintentionally amplifies by misunderstanding or diminishing your struggles. For children in foster care, this is not just a possibility; it is an everyday reality. 

Dealing with Mental Health Stigma

Mental health stigma manifests as a pattern of attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours that marginalise and discriminate against individuals dealing with mental health conditions. This stigma affects entire societies, creating an underpinning of fear and misunderstanding about mental illness. Many times, these perceptions are engrained in language, stereotypes, and practices that paint mental illness as either a personal failing or a topic to be dismissed with embarrassment or fear. 

The origins of stigma and mental illness are deeply historical. Historically, mental health issues were often attributed to supernatural forces or moral failings, leading to social exile or institutionalisation. Ancient texts and religious scripts frequently described mental illness as divine punishment, attitudes which persisted for centuries. During the 18th and 19th centuries, people with mental health challenges were treated as second-class citizens, often confined in asylums with abysmal living conditions. 

Mental Health Challenges in Children in Care

Addressing children's mental health in foster care is of utmost importance, as these young individuals often encounter environments that exacerbate their vulnerabilities. Common mental health difficulties in children living in foster care environments include anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions aren't just theoretical challenges but are grounded in their lived experiences.  

Children in care, also known as foster children, face unique challenges that can impact their mental health. These challenges can stem from a variety of factors, such as trauma, instability, and separation from their families. It is important to understand and address these challenges in order to provide appropriate support and care for these children;

• Experiences of trauma and abuse can lead to a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• The instability of moving between different foster homes can also have a negative impact on a child's mental well-being.
• Separation from their families and feelings of loss and abandonment can contribute to feelings of low self-esteem and difficulties with attachment.
• Children in care may also struggle with trust and building relationships, as they may have experienced broken attachments in their past.
• The lack of consistent and nurturing parental figures can also lead to behavioral and emotional challenges.
• In addition, children in care may face stigma and discrimination, which can further affect their mental health.

In order to support the mental health of children in care, it is most important to provide them with a stable and nurturing environment, as well as access to mental health services. It is also important for caregivers and professionals to be aware of the unique challenges these children face and to provide them with kindness and support. 

Consequences of Untreated Mental Illness

Untreated mental illness in children, especially those in care, can lead to a cascade of long-term consequences that weave into the very fabric of their future. These young individuals face psychosocial concerns that, when ignored, create roadblocks that resonate through every aspect of life. The lack of mental health intervention often results in academic struggles, as these children find it challenging to concentrate or may frequently miss school due to mental health-related issues. 

Untreated mental illness in children can have serious consequences that can impact their overall well-being and development. It is important for parents and caregivers to recognize the signs of mental illness and seek treatment for their child to prevent these consequences from occurring.

• Impaired academic performance and learning difficulties
• Social isolation and difficulty forming relationships
• Behavioral problems and difficulty managing emotions
• Increased risk of substance abuse and self-harm
• Physical health issues, such as headaches, stomachaches, and fatigue

If left untreated, these consequences of mental illness can have long-term effects on a child's life. They may struggle with their mental health into adulthood and experience difficulty in various aspects of their life, such as education, employment, and relationships. Therefore, it is important to seek help for a child who is showing signs of mental illness. 

Barriers to Seeking Help

When you consider the barriers to children's mental health care, it's very important to recognise how these blockers manifest uniquely in the lives of children in care. Stigma can be a barrier, but it's also much more than that. These children grapple with systemic hurdles such as a shortage of tailored therapeutic services and caregiver support. Often, mental health resources are scarce, leaving social workers with overwhelming caseloads and a limited ability to provide consistent support.

Mental health is an important aspect of a child's overall well-being. However, seeking help for mental health issues can be a challenging task for both the child and their parents. There are several barriers that prevent children from receiving the necessary support and treatment for their mental health. These barriers can have a significant impact on a child's development and can hinder their ability to lead a happy and healthy life. Here are some key barriers to seeking help for mental health children and how we can overcome them:

• Lack of awareness: One of the major barriers to seeking help for mental health in children is the lack of awareness. Many parents and children are not aware of the signs and symptoms of mental health issues, which can lead to delayed or no treatment.
• Stigma: There is a stigma associated with mental health, which makes it difficult for children and families to seek help. This stigma can lead to feelings of shame, embarrassment, and fear of judgment.
• Financial constraints: Another barrier to seeking help for mental health children is financial constraints. Many families cannot afford the costs of mental health treatment, including therapy and medication.
• Accessibility: Accessibility is a major issue for families living in remote or rural areas. The lack of mental health services in these areas can make it difficult for children to receive proper treatment.
• Language barriers: For families who do not speak the language of their host country, language barriers can prevent them from seeking help for their child's mental health. This can make it difficult to communicate with healthcare professionals and understand the necessary treatment.

It is important to break down these barriers and be certain that children have access to mental health support when they need it. Parents, educators, and healthcare professionals must work together to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and improve accessibility to mental health services for children. By addressing these barriers, we can help children receive the necessary support and treatment for their mental health, ultimately improving their overall well-being and quality of life.

Addressing the Public Health Impact

Your role in advocating for mental health services for children goes beyond just caring—it's about recognising the profound public health burden of mental illness left untreated. Children in care are at a significant disadvantage. Without adequate mental health support, these children are predisposed to a variety of challenges that can perpetuate cycles of poverty, crime, and social exclusion.

Addressing these issues proactively reduces these risks and, in turn, the pressure on community resources. Imagine a system that fully supports mental health care: we could potentially lower overall healthcare costs by preventing the escalation of mental health disorders into more complex and costly issues in adulthood. 

Mental health is a critical issue that affects people of all ages, including children. In order to address the public health impact of mental health on children, it is important to consider the following points:

• Early intervention and prevention efforts can help reduce the negative effects of mental health on children's well-being.
• Access to mental health services and resources should be made widely available for children and their families.
• Education and awareness campaigns can help reduce stigma surrounding mental health and encourage seeking help.
• Collaboration between healthcare providers, schools, and community organizations is key in providing thorough support for children's mental health.
• Addressing social determinants of health, such as poverty and access to education, can also have a positive impact on children's mental health.

Overall, it is highly important for society to recognize and address the public health impact of mental health on children. By taking proactive steps to support their mental well-being, we can help children reach their full potential and lead healthier, happier lives.

Related:  Understanding Why Fostered and Adopted People Might Find Christmas Time Difficult: A First Principles Analysis

Conclusion

Engaging with the complexities of mental health in children within the care system isn't just a duty—it's an opportunity to learn, empathise, and foster real change. By addressing these challenges head-on, you become part of a movement that understands every child deserves support, regardless of their circumstances. The reality faced by children in care is diverse, and the stigma surrounding mental health compounds the difficulties they already experience due to their backgrounds. Recognizing these young individuals' potential and giving them the necessary tools can lead to personal successes and significant societal contributions.

At Susan Vickers, our experiences inform the ways we interact with these children, and staking a claim in advocacy offers pathways for proactive societal improvement. Stigma can have a lasting impact on the mental health of care-experienced children, but gratitude and support can make all the difference. Through our training and events, we help individuals, educators, and caregivers navigate these challenges with empathy and practical strategies.

Explore our courses to learn how you can create a more inclusive and supportive environment. If you have any questions or want to be a part of this change, feel free to email us at [email protected]. Together, let’s cultivate a world where care-experienced children are met with the affection and respect they merit, underscoring the key role we play in nurturing not only their futures but ours too.​​​​​​​