Children are often resilient, but that doesn’t mean we can ignore the signs of mental health problems in our kids. As a parent or caregiver, there are things you can do to help your child develop good mental health.
Here are some tips on laying the foundation for protecting your child’s mental health.
Laying the foundation for good mental health
- Be a good role model. It’s essential for your child to see you being open about your mental health, showing them it’s OK to talk about it and seek help when needed. They’re more likely to follow your lead if they see you struggling healthily and seeking support from others.
- Talk about mental health openly. It’s not always easy, but it helps if you share your own experiences with them, so they understand how their feelings are normal and that there is nothing wrong with them feeling this way.
- Be supportive and listen to your child: Supportive listening ensures that they know they can talk freely with someone who won’t judge them or try to fix their problems—that person should be their parent!
How to talk about your child’s mental health
- Discussing your child’s mental health is a good thing.
- It’s OK to ask for help and support for yourself and your child.
- It’s important not to be ashamed or embarrassed if you need to talk about how you are feeling or that things are not going so well for your family right now; this is normal when dealing with difficult situations like depression or anxiety in children/teenagers/young people (and adults).
- Mental health is as important as physical health, and it’s not something that should be ignored or swept under the carpet. It’s OK to talk about your feelings and what your child may be going through. Suppose you are uncomfortable talking with someone in person. In that case, there are many online forums (like this one) where you can post a question and get advice from people who have been through similar experiences.
How to identify stress and anxiety in children
When parents are concerned about their child’s mental health, it’s essential to understand that many symptoms can be challenging to identify.
While stress and anxiety are often associated with worry and sadness, not all children will exhibit these feelings similarly. Some may display physical signs like headaches or stomach aches. In contrast, others may withdraw from friends or activities they once enjoyed.
Parents need to become familiar with their kids’ unique behavior patterns to recognize mood or routine changes as potential signs of stress or anxiety.
Parents should also keep an eye out for:
- Anxiety about the school, friends, or family issues
- Worrying about the future (especially if it’s something concrete like a vacation)
- Depression over stressful events (such as bullying)
- Anxiety disorders can signify something more serious, so it’s essential to seek help if you or your child is experiencing these symptoms.
How to help children who have anxiety or depression
- Have a conversation with your child about what is going on in their lives.
- Talk to them about their emotions and why they feel like they do.
- Listen to what your child has to say and be supportive of them.
- Encourage them to talk about how they feel, even if it is hard for you to hear.
- Let your child know there is nothing wrong with asking for help or discussing their feelings.
- Set aside time each day (even if it’s just a few minutes) where you can sit down together and talk about anything on either of your minds, whether schoolwork or something else entirely unrelated to academics at school!
How to help a child who self-harms
If you suspect your child is self-harming, talk to them about it. Tell them you think they might be hurting themselves and ask if this is true. If the answer is yes, ask why they feel the need to do this. Listen closely to what they say and try not to judge or criticize their actions at first.
Try not to react in a way that makes it seem like their behavior is wrong; instead, let them know that you understand where they are coming from and want to help them in whatever way possible! You can also ask them if they have tried other methods of coping with their emotions, such as exercising or talking to friends. If they haven’t, suggest these options and encourage them to give it a try!
How to know when your child needs professional help
If your child is experiencing mental health issues, it’s essential to know when they need more help than you can give them.
- When your child’s behavior is causing harm to themselves or others, for example, if your child is harming themselves physically (e.g., cutting) or verbally (e.g., threatening to hurt someone), this may be a sign that they need more professional help than you can provide at home.
- Your child cannot function at school or home due to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. For example, suppose your child has missed numerous school days due to mental health concerns. In that case, this may signify that they need more professional help than you can at home since the school environment offers additional resources and support systems for students struggling with these issues.
- When your child’s anxiety or depression is affecting their ability to sleep and eat normally.* If these symptoms persist for longer than two weeks without improvement, then it could mean deeper issues are going on inside that require medical attention from professionals trained in these areas such as psychiatrists & psychologists who specialize in treating children & teens
Children can be resilient, but they need our love and support
Children are resilient and bounce back from adversity. However, they need our love and help. As a parent, you must be supportive of your child’s feelings by listening without judgment or giving advice. If you can empathize with their feelings, they will feel better able to cope with them.
If your child is struggling with their emotions, it is essential to talk to them and help them find ways to deal with them. You can ask questions like “what do you think would help?” or “how can we work through this together?” The more you can give your child a sense of control over their emotions, the better they will feel. If you feel overwhelmed by your child’s feelings, it is essential to seek help from a professional.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you learn more about protecting your child’s mental health. As we’ve seen, there are many ways to help your children develop good mental health habits and skills, as well as some warning signs that they may need professional help.
Suppose you are worried about your child’s behavior or emotions. In that case, you must seek a qualified professional who can assess the situation and advise on how best to proceed.
