Mental health is a growing concern in modern times. Earlier, mainly parents experienced stress and worries, but now children share the brunt as well. Academic demands, peer pressure, a sedentary lifestyle, domestic trouble, and more can influence and deteriorate your child’s mental health. It is imperative to identify the signs and help them overcome these challenges.
Unlike parents and adults, children are not as resilient and are more prone to mental health conditions. But how do you do so without making them feel vulnerable or odd about it? Gen Zs and millennials have highlighted and advocated for positive discussions and sufficient support regarding mental health.
But many people are still unable to be open about their emotional needs and mental health due to fear of ridicule, social labels, becoming a burden on their family, and so on. As a result, a huge amount of the population suffers in silence without getting adequate mental support.
But this cannot continue, especially when it comes to children. Parents must talk to their kids and educate them on mental health and well-being from an early age. This will help prevent any feelings of embarrassment, stigmatization, or labeling. Here’s a quick guide on how to talk to your child about mental health stigma.
It is important to practice what you preach, especially to children. Be open about your feelings and struggles with your kids, while maintaining discretion. This will teach them how to be brave and open up. It will also show them that it is okay to be vulnerable with their loved ones occasionally and that it shows strength, not weakness.
Mental health is a vast and sensitive topic that must be broached in an age-appropriate manner with children. If your kids are very young, start by making lists of moods, emotions and adjectives that help them express how they feel. As they grow up, introduce them to journaling, mindful gardening, yoga, and other helpful activities to cope with negative emotions and promote mindfulness.
It is important to create a safe atmosphere at home for kids to speak up about their trials and challenges. While you have the final say, let your child choose the people they wish to open to or in front of. Everyone has different interpersonal dynamics, and they may not be comfortable for a good reason around somebody. Trust their instincts and let them come to you with their mental health problems.
Children need to trust their parents or caregivers before sharing anything as personal and vulnerable as their thoughts, concerns, and problems. Therefore, it is imperative for parents to discipline them later to make mistakes and focus on supporting them and solving the problem first. This shows that you prioritize them more than anything. It helps them try to be better and makes you proud of them.
Children do not know or understand boundaries. Parents need to create and enforce certain boundaries at home to keep kids in line and discipline them. Consistent discipline and boundaries help lower anxiety in children as they know when their parents will play with them or what action will trigger an admonishment. It is also important to teach them to maintain certain boundaries in the public to stay safe and happy.
Always keep sibling dynamics in mind while interacting with your kids or speaking to them about mental health, as it influences many behaviors and feelings in them. For example, older children are more prone to anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, while younger kids are more likely to suffer from separation anxiety and narcissistic disorder. It is ideal to speak to them, keeping their traits and quirks in mind to truly reach them.
It is important for children to feel loved and supported by their parents. This is a big part of developing their mental wellbeing. It teaches them that no amount of social stigmatization will prevent them from getting the support they need. While discipline and strictness are necessary, so is appreciation and consistent expression of love. To start, give a hug every day to your kids. This will automatically improve your relationship with them.
Increased social awareness and advocacy has ensured that the stigmatization surrounding mental health is receding by the day. But it will take time to vanish completely, and time is of the essence when it comes to your child’s wellbeing. So, give the above-mentioned tips a try and start opening up to your kids about mental health to keep stigma at bay. It will improve their lives and futures beyond measure.
References
https://www.unicef.org/parenting/health/how-to-talk-to-kids-mental-health