Having open, honest conversations with your kids about mental health is so important, but it doesn’t always come easily. The more comfortable you can make these talks, the easier it is to address concerns about your kids’ mental health, whether they’re happening now or might come up in the future.
If you’re looking for tips on how to approach these conversations this year, here’s some practical advice to help guide you.
Why these conversations matter more than ever
These conversations are more important than ever, especially with the constant stream of media and social media your kids are exposed to. It’s not just the news. They’re seeing things on their phones, too, if they have one.
On top of the usual school-day stressors, they’re also navigating self-conscious thoughts shaped by what they see online.
That’s why keeping an open line of communication is so important. Encouraging your kids to share how they’re feeling helps them feel supported and reminds them they’re not facing these challenges alone.
Simple ways to make mental health part of everyday talk
To help make their mental health a part of everyday talk, here are a few tips that might encourage them to talk more openly to you about how they’re feeling.
Normalize their feelings
It’s important to let your kids know that their feelings are completely normal, especially when they might be worrying that what they’re experiencing is unusual or that they’re the only ones feeling that way.
Talking with them about how everyone experiences mental health differently can be really helpful. Sharing that their feelings are common and that you’ve likely experienced similar ones yourself can make them feel understood and less alone.
Create a safe space for conversation
A safe space for conversation is definitely something that will help your children when they need to express their thoughts and feelings.
Some children don’t speak out about how they’re feeling when they don’t feel like the home environment is a safe space to talk about mental health.
That can be hard to hear as a parent, but you can ensure that doesn’t happen in the first place by having that safe and inviting environment for conversation at all times.
Foster a healthy perspective for kids’ mental health
A healthy perspective is always important when it comes to talking to your kids about mental health. It’s good to use simple and honest language when speaking about how they’re feeling, as well as helping them find useful coping skills to deal with it all effectively.
When to seek outside help and how to choose the right support
There can be times when it’s necessary to involve professional help in the form of therapy or any other type of professional guidance that you might feel would be helpful for your loved ones.
Recap: Kids’ mental health
Talking about mental health with your kids isn’t always easy, but it’s so worth it. By keeping the conversation open, normalizing their feelings, and letting them know you’re there, you help them feel seen, heard, and supported, both now and as they grow.
