Although mental health awareness is increasing in modern times, the topic is still not discussed enough, particularly when it concerns children. Unlike physical injuries, emotional and cognitive difficulties are typically invisible, so they have a tendency to remain unspoken. Because challenges of this nature are often unseen, they are much more widespread than we might think.
Furthermore, adults are much more likely to have the faculties and language needed for initiating a conversation about mental health. Meanwhile, children are regularly left without a way to express their internal struggles. Fortunately, it doesn't always have to be that way. Here are six tips to make sure your kids know how to advocate for themselves when it comes to their mental health.
1. Encourage Open Discourse
If you are not regularly talking with your kids about anything, then you are definitely not going to be talking about mental health. By keeping an open line of communication that feels safe, you automatically create a space where these challenges can be shared. Denial and repression are common coping mechanisms, so kids can become really skilled at hiding these kinds of problems. Luckily, proper encouragement can promote divulgence.
2. Facilitate Non-Judgmental Acceptance
It is important to remember that mental health disparities are completely normal; thus, it is crucial to demonstrate an absence of judgment toward these issues. Mental health challenges are frequently stigmatized, which leads to a widespread lack of acknowledgment or acceptance. Due to society sometimes imposing a false sense of shame, younger individuals often choose to keep their mental health issues under wraps. Avoid these circumstances by continuously highlighting empathetic acceptance and unconditional love.
3. Cultivate Understanding
Apply active listening and showcase empathy. Make a substantial effort to truly hear what your children are saying. A one-sided conversation will inhibit the ability to share. Even worse, a dismissive attitude will lead to emotions being bottled up, and this will only serve to exacerbate the existing struggles. A parent who knows how to be present can be an invaluable resource during times when cognitive troubles are lurking underneath the surface.
4. Build Trust
Your kid needs to know that you are on their side. This means establishing a long-term pattern of trustworthy interactions. Receptive responses to other problems will indicate a willingness to assist with mental health issues too. Level-headed thinking and a consistently fair-minded approach will naturally invite discourse on these subjects when necessary.
5. Provide Access to Resources
There are plenty of tools and guides available to back you up, but you need to know where to look. For example, organizations have tons of beneficial resources for addressing mental health in the family. A therapist or counselor can also be an indispensable ally, and there is plenty of literature available on the topic too, so be sure to do your research.
6. Establish a Support Network
A parent cannot be the only source of help for their child. Sometimes, it really does take a village. Having an expansive network of reliable family and friends can increase the chances of their willingness to open up about their mental health. With a nurturing community on hand, your child may be much more likely to seek aid.
