Child and adolescent mental health professionals are urging parents to stop dismissing tantrums as mere signs of defiance or manipulation. Instead, they recommend interpreting such behaviors as possible signals of underlying emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges.

During the recent Child and Adolescent Mental Health Summit, experts emphasized that while occasional tantrums are a normal part of childhood development, persistent behavioral issues should raise red flags. Repeated emotional outbursts, mood swings, withdrawal from social interactions, changes in eating or sleeping patterns, and loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities could all point to mental health conditions that require attention.

Tantrums May Reveal Deeper Emotional Struggles

Professor Tinuola Gunwa-Ajayi, a consultant psychiatrist and expert in child and adolescent mental health, warned that ignoring the emotional cues embedded in tantrums can have long-term consequences. Speaking at the summit, she stressed that tantrums often stem from frustrations that children lack the language to express clearly.

“Children don’t just throw tantrums for the sake of it,” she said. “There’s always a reason—even if that reason seems small to adults. When children act out, they’re often trying to communicate something they cannot articulate. If we ignore that, we risk overlooking early signs of emotional or psychological distress.”

She explained that previously outgoing children who suddenly become withdrawn, experience difficulty sleeping, stop eating properly, or lose interest in activities they once enjoyed are likely experiencing emotional turmoil.

“That’s not the moment to brush it off or say, ‘If she doesn’t want to go out, let her stay home.’ That’s the time to pay close attention, ask meaningful questions, and possibly seek professional help,” Gunwa-Ajayi advised.

The Risk of Escalating Mental Health Problems

Gunwa-Ajayi also cautioned that unaddressed emotional distress in childhood can evolve into serious mental health issues during adolescence or adulthood. According to her, early intervention plays a critical role in preventing long-term consequences.

“When warning signs are ignored, a child who simply needs support today could develop anxiety disorders, depression, or even suicidal tendencies in the future. The earlier we identify and support struggling children, the better their chances of living mentally healthy lives.”

She highlighted that recent years have seen progress in parental awareness about mental health, but there is still much work to be done in breaking stigma and fostering open communication between parents and children.

Prioritizing Intentional Communication

One of the key recommendations from the summit was the need for parents to adopt a more intentional and structured approach to bonding and communication with their children.

Gunwa-Ajayi, who also serves as CEO of Heritage Gardens, emphasized the power of one-on-one time with each child. She encouraged parents to carve out regular, distraction-free moments to engage with their children meaningfully.

“Beyond the usual evening banter, parents should dedicate a specific time every week—maybe a Saturday afternoon—just for one child. Let that child know, ‘This hour is your time. Tell me whatever is on your mind. No phones. No television. Just me and you.’ You’ll be amazed at what they open up about,” she said.

She added that even simple daily routines like picking children up from school offer valuable opportunities for emotional check-ins. “A simple question like, ‘How was your day?’ can unlock a world of insight if asked with genuine interest,” she said.

Dangers of Dismissiveness

Gunwa-Ajayi also warned that repeatedly brushing off a child’s emotional expressions can silence them permanently. “If a child feels unheard over and over again, they eventually stop speaking. You may never realize what you’ve missed—until it’s too late,” she said.

She urged parents to create intentional space in their schedules to ensure their children feel safe discussing whatever is bothering them. “Even in our overwhelmed, fast-paced lives, we must remember that children crave our undivided attention. Creating a blocked time during the weekend gives them something to look forward to, especially when they’ve had a stressful week.”

Normalizing Mental Health Conversations

Another speaker at the summit, Dr. Ebi Oginni, a UK-based paediatrician, emphasized the urgent need to normalize discussions around mental health—especially in adolescence.

“In the UK, 1 in 6 teenagers lives with mental health challenges,” she revealed. “And shockingly, suicide has become the number one cause of death among teenagers in the UK. That statistic alone should prompt us to take mental health far more seriously.”

Dr. Oginni also shared that 25% of adults currently living with mental health issues first exhibited symptoms during their teenage years. These early signs often go unnoticed or are dismissed by adults until they escalate.

Empowering Youth with Mental Health Skills

To help young people build emotional resilience, Oginni recommended integrating mental wellness practices into their daily routines. She encouraged parents, schools, and community groups to teach techniques like:

• Journaling for emotional processing

• Daily affirmations to boost self-esteem

• Breath work and meditation to regulate stress

• Talk therapy to explore complex emotions

• Open dialogue with trusted adults

She urged families to build a community of support that children can turn to, whether it’s a parent, coach, youth worker, counselor, or peer.

“Children need to know where they can get help and feel confident in seeking it,” she said.

Addressing Cultural Stigma and Misunderstanding

Theresa Gunwa-Jatto, Governance and Compliance Manager at Heritage Gardens, highlighted the summit’s broader goal: shedding light on mental health in children and adolescents, especially in cultures where the topic remains taboo.

“Even though ‘mental health’ has become a trendy phrase, there’s still a huge gap in understanding its depth and implications—especially in developing countries,” she said. “We use the term loosely, but many don’t grasp the serious impact of untreated mental health disorders.”

She explained that the summit aimed to challenge lingering stigma and misinformation by offering practical knowledge and creating safe spaces for these important conversations.

Start at the Roots: Educate Children Early

Gunwa-Jatto emphasized the importance of introducing mental health education at a young age. “If we want to raise emotionally healthy adults, we must start with children. Teaching them to recognize signs of distress in themselves or their peers empowers them and reduces the shame surrounding mental health.”

She noted that changing a child’s perspective is easier than changing an adult’s, which is why early education on empathy, emotional regulation, and self-awareness is so powerful.

“When children learn about mental health early, they become more emotionally intelligent. They know when to seek help and how to support others. This not only reduces stigma—it also reduces bullying and fosters compassion,” she added.

A Call to Action for Parents and Stakeholders

The two-day summit, attended by over 40 participants, concluded with a call for increased collaboration between parents, educators, health professionals, and policymakers to address youth mental health.

Experts agreed that a multi-pronged approach—combining awareness, education, support services, and proactive parenting—is essential for protecting the emotional and psychological well-being of the next generation.