Sleep Can Have Huge Impact On Children’s Mental Health

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The pandemic has been tough for a lot of people, not only impacting physical health, but mental health as well.

KSL is focusing on Kids in Crisis in an effort to shine a light on a challenging topic for parents and children.

One big factor on overall mental health is how much sleep you get.

It seems basically everyone has had a tough time sleeping over the last year – kids and adults included. From sleeping too much to sleeping too little, sleep can have a big impact on kids and developing brains.

Experts say kids just don’t have the social skills yet to deal with their obligations while they’re tired.

Psychologists speaking to the New York Times suggest a few things to get back to normal:

• Adjust a sleep schedule back to normal gradually in 15-minute increments
• Let kids guide the hour before bedtime screen-free. They can read, do a craft, take a shower – anything that helps them relax.
• Don’t snooze the alarm. That just makes it harder to get up.

SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES 

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or exhibiting warning signs, call the Utah State Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). 

Additional Crisis Hotlines 

• National Suicide Prevention Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741-741 
• Trevor Project Hotline for LGBTQ teens: 1-866-488-7386 

Online resources 

• NAMIUtah 
• Utah Chapter-American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline 
• Safe UT Crisis Text and Tip Line 

In an emergency 

• Call 911 
• Go to the emergency room