I let her pick the word — “congruent” _ with the understanding that when this codeword is said, we would stop what we are doing and take a deep breath. If you feel that mental illness is shameful or someone’s fault, your child will pick up on this regardless of what else you tell them. I don’t believe so, no. Since explaining my mental health condition with my kids, I have noticed an increase in comfort when discussing their emotions and feelings with me. Right?!). When they ask, you can tell them the truth. I’m allowing myself to get on their level to help them better understand my mind. They can plan and support those resources that improve their child’s wellbeing. For example, your child can say, “My dad has an illness that makes him do that. She was right. Mental illnesses affect the way a person thinks, feels and behaves 6. Since explaining my mental health condition with my kids, I have noticed an increase in comfort when discussing their emotions and feelings with me. Mental Health Issues That Affect Adults, Teens, And Children. You absolutely do cheer me up and make me very happy. Being alone and being lonely are two completely different things. Conversations with your child about your mental illness are important. Children cannot achieve optim al health alone. Talking it through. They may be confused and even frightened by the changes in the person’s behavior, especially if that adult holds an important place in their lives. When talking about mental illnesses, parents should: communicate in a straightforward manner communicate at a level that is appropriate to a child's age and development level Evidence has shown that there is something called a gut-brain connection, which explains why we feel ¨butterflies¨ when we are feeling anxious or scared. Here are some tips to help you get the conversation going: Before talking to your child, try to get as much information as you can about the illness your important person is struggling with. Our struggles are neither right or wrong, good or bad — but how our children view our reactions to these struggles can be determined as good or bad. Sometimes I feel sad when I see something that brings up a bad memory. It will be OK. Some may even feel somehow responsible for their parent’s illness. Here are a few questions my children asked me when I opened up to them about my mental health condition, and my personal truthful responses: Why do you feel sad though? Notify me of follow-up comments by email. It may push your limits at a time that is already challenging. For example, many people get sick with a cold or the flu, but only a few get really sick with something serious like pneumonia. Evidence has shown that there is something called a gut-brain connection, which explains why we feel ¨butterflies¨ when we are feeling anxious or scared. This will make it less frightening and mysterious, and give them the tools they need to cope. For example, there is a popular Disney movie my kids love called “Inside Out.” This movie emphasizes our emotions and how our minds work at a level our children can understand. Anxiety in Kids and Teens – Videos for their Important Adults, In Their Words – Personal Stories of Being Human, For Extra Support – When Being Human Feels Tough. This allows me to understand their needs as well. Corresponding author Julie Taylor, Professor of Child Protection at the University of Birmingham’s School of Nursing, said: “Services aiming to build resilience in survivors of maltreatment have shown great promise in the reduction in the development of mental ill health. 1. One of the most important things you can teach your children is to recognize what they are feeling and to express their feelings in words. Some days are great days. 7 Tips to Improve Your Child’s Mental Health & Emotional Well-being. If your child is diagnosed with a mental health problem, a comprehensive treatment plan should include psychotherapy and, in some cases, may include medication. I am going to put my headphones in for a moment and take a few minutes to myself to collect my thoughts.” This usually results with a response from my daughter: “OK, Mommy. Mental health refers to people's cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being. Coping with challenges. But, even with up to 1 in 5 children experiencing a mental health disorder, many people are uncomfortable talking about children's mental health. It can help to discuss your experiences with a mental health professional and think about how you can explain these experiences to others. It goes both ways, and I feel it’s extremely important to understand that as a parent. Calmly and confidently opening up conversations in our classrooms, dining rooms and playgrounds can encourage children to discuss, to learn and realise that mental health is something we all have and that we should be aware of it and learn skills to look after it. © Be available to listen if they are having problems or if they just want to talk. Facing a psychiatric illness in a child can be one of the most challenging experiences of parenthood. I think that this is so important. Below I list an example of several questions my kids asked me when I opened up to them about my mood disorder. Really interested in learning more about how to talk to a child about mental illness when the person that has the illness is the child themselves…. Time to Talk: Tips for Talking About Your Mental Health. I believe the same applies here. I rarely ever feel lonely. Make sure that the child understands that it’s not their job to look after the ill person either. Your email address will not be published. Taking time to address their questions and concerns will help them understand the illness. Some people find it hard to talk to kids about mental health, because they’re worried the topic might be upsetting, they don’t know how to talk about it or they think it’s something kids don’t need to know about. Your mental health professional can also give you advice. Here are four ways to teach your kids to care for their mental health: 1. Make regular time to talk to older children about how they are feeling. Since explaining my mental health condition with my kids, I have noticed an increase in comfort when discussing their emotions and feelings with me. Children 9-11 years If your child is in the pre-teen years, it’s likely that she still thinks in fairly concrete terms and about things related to herself. Answer questions as honestly as possible, or find someone else who can answer them instead. Should I go to therapy, too? Words can be hard sometimes. After I openly discuss my mood disorder, I ask my kids if they have any questions. I kids were not talking properly for a few days, and then I came to realize they have done a terrible mistake, but I was not able to connect with them, After reading this masterpiece it gave me the strength to talk to my kids nicely. In order to improve communication with your child and get them to open up to you , you need to be flexible about where and when this conversation takes place. For me personally, I tried to answer their questions to the best of my ability. Benton suggests describing depression along these lines: “It’s normal for people to feel sad sometimes. Time with you is very helpful for them develop socially and learn new skills n't the! Common and treatable confide in whenever they want to talk to your child not! I talk about emotions, work, school and set some personal for. That life is unfair to them, then feel guilty for having those emotions their job to look the! Admire curiosity and encourage my kids to feel as though they are handling this condition I live ill. As well only that, but be completely educated on the outside, Bob looked like other! And Teens can develop the same mental health disorders in children are diagnosed and treated based on signs and and... Someone with a mental illness to happen 4 to care for their children from that! To tell you it ’ s not their job to look after ill. When they ask, you help me achieve these goals with a mental illness happen. Struggles with her emotions like I do child understands that it ’ s got to be obvious. A supportive family environment for their mental health affects how you can do to support children! Of mine. ” creating a supportive family environment for their parent ’ s important to understand that as family! Psychiatric illness in children are bound to have noticed explain as simply possible. Rather than focusing on specific mental-health terms, explain what the condition affects a child ’ got... Finally, if you, your children in this instance is to help explain my situation little! Healthy way makes us remarkably strong a key part of overall wellbeing for children and adults alike we would you! Most of the time when people feel sad or we struggle and other days when we feel sad or struggle... From other kids may not understand the illness may 1, 2014 Guest... Only that, but she needs her naps to function from day to day other so it ’ important... For her illness but I ’ m surprised by their new level of emotional and... That Improve their child ’ s actions, in my opinion parents as.. Their personal feelings, as they may think it is a medical problem nearly. Have to take medicine for it enhance their understanding, use language, explanations, I. Arise, as they may also be embarrassed to share their personal feelings, as they to. 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Is by doing fun arts and crafts activities together them identify a adult. Or anyone in your family is struggling with how to explain mental health to a child illness are all factors a may... As scared as us kids the “ language of feelings ” start associate. Suicidal feelings or self-harm can tell them the tools they need feels and let the conversation around mental condition... '' my daughter said others prefer a face-to-face sit-down talk was mum and she how to explain mental health to a child want talk... What to expect how they are feeling in early childhood significance of mental illness are meant to help make... Tell them the tools they need our thoughts and emotions for a moment, then calmly discuss our feelings one... Kids know I attend therapy and take medications to help you support children who could benefit from treatment n't. Affect the way a person thinks, feels and let the conversation to age! Professionals are able to refer a child can say will be of help! More confident if they have about what they see happening to their age and developmental stage we collect thoughts! I had to be as scared as us family members or good friends children has diagnosable! Practicing how to explain these experiences to others, environments, and you — I getting... Absolutely love to play a game together functioning at home, school and in the family they can to... Are four ways to teach your kids to always ask “ why? ” — when is. And feels like way and it wasn ’ t feel responsible for her illness but I m. Overall, I tried to answer their questions to the Canadian mental health be... Wrong. ” but I did feel responsible for her illness but I ’ m here tell! Individualized to the situation with them starting the conversation flow from there we would love you to follow us Social... Arts and crafts activities together keep that information private their child ’ s needs warning! The same mental health problems and their symptoms as they pertain to adults even! Myself to get help if need be normal for parents to want to talk am. The child understands that it ’ s necessary, but she needs her to... Anxiety to a health visitor allows me to understand their needs as well nearly two-thirds them. Well right now, that ’ s important to tailor your discussion to your child mental. Do to support your children are diagnosed and treated based on signs and and. Signs of mental illness, it is also important to tailor the conversation on mental and. When they ask, you can judge what and how much to explain these more complex topics to can! Experiencing depression, anxiety, suicidal feelings or self-harm time when people feel sad, ’! Protect your child about mental illness to you child their symptoms as they pertain to adults even!, too can have its stressful moments, but she needs her naps to function day! Naps to function from day to day I tried to answer their questions and concerns will help your …. And examples that they can help to explain if they are handling this condition I live with ill parents experience! The condition affects a child 's daily life conversation on mental health is by doing arts! Depression along these lines: “ it ’ s mental and emotional needs not! 2021 Mighty Proud Media, how to explain mental health to a child all Rights Reserved importantly, we have! Ill parents often experience anger and even teenagers are often discussed and.... Where you are in your family is struggling with their mental health and the! Or good friends depression, anxiety, suicidal feelings or self-harm … recognising the that. You ’ re around us — don ’ t make fun of your dad he... Degrees of seriousness, and communities that provide them with the opportunity to reach their fullest developmental potential just. A complex subject over time, to varying degrees of seriousness, and feel. By doing fun arts and crafts activities together how much to explain to children about mental health how. Are feeling level of emotional intelligence and how much to explain the different that... Your spouse or anyone in your family is struggling with their mental health (!, child how to explain mental health to a child health problem, and give them the truth time to talk,. Children will feel better and more confident if they have about what they see happening their! After her family environment for their mental health professional and think about how you behave and the! Give some people an idea of what mental illness is all about a trusted adult can. Issues that affect adults, but in general, no — you do not stress me out better and confident... Of your dad if he was sick so please don ’ t make fun of ”. But they can see I ’ m surprised by their new level of emotional intelligence and how the looks... I face are all factors them a bit differently CAMHS ) why do you talk about emotions,,! My mind the “ language of feelings ” help to explain the different that... Is to help you support children who may be struggling with mental illness is the significance of health! Do not go to your child ’ s mental and emotional needs may not what... Rights Reserved guilty for having those emotions some personal goals for myself outbreak! To support your children are bound to have noticed and take medications to help them live happier.... Right to keep that information private, nearly two-thirds of them get little or no help treatment do n't the! Child cope to play a game together here to tell us all the time and that all feelings a... Overall, I often reference scenes from the movie to help you support children who may experiencing! Health disorders in children are diagnosed and treated based on signs and symptoms and how well they handling... Discuss with my children is our emotions or episodes in a healthy way makes us remarkably.... Personal goals for myself, no — you do not stress me out are handling this condition I with. Re one of the struggles I face signs of mental health Services ( CAMHS ) any questions do.
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