Safety comes first
For self-harm, suicide, violence, abuse or any immediate danger, stop ordinary reading and use local emergency help.
What caregivers may notice
- Difficulty falling asleep, waking often or a very delayed schedule
- Daytime sleepiness, irritability or reduced attention
- Sleep problems occurring with stress, low mood or physical symptoms
What caregivers can do
- Keep wake time and daytime light exposure reasonably consistent
- Reduce late-night conflict and high-stimulation activity
- Do not give a minor prescription or non-prescription sleep medicines, melatonin or other sleep supplements without advice from a paediatric medical professional
When to seek more help
- Problems persist and impair daytime functioning
- Frequent loud snoring, repeated gasping or breathing pauses, or unusual daytime sleepiness needs paediatric or sleep assessment; obvious breathing difficulty needs urgent medical care
- Immediate mental-health safety risks require urgent local help