Supporting Your Child with their Mental Health – Mental health is something which affects all of us, but some more than others. It can be made worse by stress, past trauma, and many other factors. Childhood can be a particularly turbulent time for children as they go through changes, have exams and peer pressure all to deal with which is why it’s an important topic of discussion and an area to monitor with your child.
Unlike a physical illness or injury, the signs aren’t always obvious so it can be challenging to work out what’s best. To help give some insight and parents facing the same struggle, we’ve partnered with a pastoral care team to create this post.
Supporting Your Child with their Mental Health – Speak to Your Child
Mental health can be a difficult conversation to bring up. It’s not always easy to open up about feelings so this may take some time but reassure them that you’re there to listen and support them. Having a conversation about mental health may be a good idea. The exercise can help them to understand what they may be going through and create a line of communication to talk about how they’ve been feeling within themselves.
Supporting Your Child with their Mental Health – Show Understanding
The mind can be a strange place and it can make us feel and do things out of the ordinary. If your child suffers with their mental health, it’s vital that you show understanding to help them through. This will help them open up to you and allow you to work through it together.
Supporting Your Child with their Mental Health – Mindfulness
Mindfulness techniques can be beneficial for relieving a range of mental health symptoms such as stress and anxiety. It works by focusing on the present moment and engages the five senses. This calms the body and mind in a similar way to meditation and can help them to feel less overwhelmed. It’s worth mentioning that while mindfulness may work for some and have proven benefits, it does not work for everyone. Depending on your child’s mental health, further help may be needed.
Supporting Your Child with their Mental Health – Seek Support
As well as your support, professional support is important. It can help you to ascertain what your child is going through and give them the support they need, speak to your GP. They can make referrals to specialists such as councillors should your child need it.
Supporting Your Child with their Mental Health – Self-Care
Self-care can improve one’s state of mind and help them to feel good about themselves. Whether you have a day lounging around watching TV or a home-spa day, find what makes them happy and do more of it.
*Collaborative post
About Debz Louise
Debz Louise is a UK-based lifestyle expert and the founder of several lifestyle blogs, including Wannabe Princess and Under 5s. Specializing in everything from interior design and home renovation to body-positive fashion and early years development,