Talking to your child about their mental health

Talking to Your Child About Their Mental Health

Talking to your child about their mental health may seem daunting. However, you can help decrease the stigma by creating open communication. Creating an open dialogue with your child can help promote good mental health and establish a safe space for them to discuss what they are thinking and feeling.

The following tips can help you open a conversation about mental health with your child.

Create an Analogy

By creating an analogy for mental health, you can help your child better understand. Many parents choose to use analogies related to medical problems, such as asthma. By relating to a physical health problem, you can help your child understand that mental health can also be taken care of with treatment, medication, or other support.

Let them Know it’s Not Their Fault

Many children may see their mental health condition as their fault or a downfall to their personality. These feelings are often reinforced due to stigma. Help your child understand that mental health conditions are common, and that they don’t define who you are.

Listen and Validate

Children often feel ashamed or nervous to talk about their feelings of worry, fear, sadness, compulsion, and more. Create open communication by empathizing and listening with curiosity. In addition, it may be helpful to tell your child about other people with similar troubles. It can be beneficial for your child to see that others live with mental health conditions, and successfully manage them. 

Have Frequent Conversations

Symptoms of mental health conditions may fluctuate over time, but it is important to still keep open communication. By having frequent conversations about mental health, you are creating a safe space for your child to confide in you. This can help you provide the support they need and ensure they receive any necessary treatment.

Let them Ask Questions

Children will likely have many questions about their mental health. By being open to any questions they may have, you are further creating a safe space. If you do not know an answer to a question your child asks, it is okay. Let them know you will find out the answer together with the help of their health care provider.

Discuss Prevention and Self-Care

Talk to your child about how they can prevent or diminish symptoms, and also practice self-care. Teaching your child about the importance of sleep, exercise, nutrition, and more, can all be beneficial to their health.

Speak With Their Health Care Provider

Your child’s health care provider can help create a treatment plan that is right for them. As much as you can support your child as a parent, it is important to discuss any concerns you may have with their provider. 

Learn More

To learn more about talking to your child about their mental health we recommend speaking with their healthcare provider.

To read more, the following resources are suggested:

NAMI: https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults/Kids/Finding-Mental-Health-Care-for-Your-Child

NAMI “Little Monster” Activity Book: https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults/Kids/NAMI_Meet-Little-Monster_ENG.pdf

Mental Health Gov.: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/parents-caregivers