Mental health has turned into the talk of the town in recent times. From celebrities to commoners, everyone is coming forward to address the battles they have been fighting within. Fortunately, we are moving in a direction where talking about mental illnesses and issues has become a norm.
Our mental health affects every part of our life. Whether it’s the emotional strings of our mind or physical well-being, it controls how we react to our surroundings and affects our decisions. It’s safe to say that our mind has more power over our body than we think.
Importance of Mental Health for Children
The growing consensus around adults opening up about their mental health struggles is a positive sign. But it’s important to know that mental health problems go beyond all age brackets. Children are one of the primary victims of major mental health problems.
Optimal mental health is essential for a child’s overall development. It allows children to develop socially and become free thinkers. It allows them to recognize their abilities and learn new life skills. Children with improved mental health are also more likely to develop better cognitive abilities.
Mental Health Problems Among Children
Mental health problems among children are more common than most of us realize. According to research, children’s most commonly-diagnosed mental disorders are anxiety, depression, ADHD, and behavioral problems.
Children’s mental health issues are described as serious behavioral and emotional changes. Despite their widespread prevalence, parents often find it challenging to talk about mental health with their children. One key reason behind this phenomenon is the stigma attached to mental illnesses.
But times have changed, and now it’s for parents to come forward and communicate with their children. Frequent communication about mental health can help children feel comfortable and open up about their daily challenges. It can also help parents to understand their child’s condition and take adequate measures to help them.
Discussing Mental Health Problems with Children
Talking about mental health with your children is important. With children facing emotional and physical turmoil, parents must take a step to end the mental health stigma.
Here are a few tips parents can use to communicate with their children about mental health.
Make Them Feel Comfortable
One of the first steps to communicating about mental health with children is comfort. As a parent, one must spend some time breaking the ice. Sometimes, direct conversations can drastically impact your child’s mental health. You must make them feel calm and comfortable before moving ahead. It will help them prepare and develop an emotional bond with you. It can also provide them with a safe space to express their vulnerabilities.
Allow Children to Express Themselves
Children are full of emotions and vulnerabilities. They look for opportunities to express themselves in unique ways. Parents need to provide a ground where they can express their emotions in the best possible way. This can play a key role in making them feel appreciated while discussing their challenges. Children can express themselves in various ways. So, it’s better to let them be and choose their medium of expression without any external pressure. It’s also important to understand that a child might not be able to talk immediately. You must give them enough time to grasp situations and talk when they are ready.
Display Affection and Boost Confidence
Self-belief and confidence can play a vital role in a child’s development. It can become a weapon for them in fighting their mental illnesses. Affection is one thing that every child seeks from their parents and caregivers. It can help them make better decisions and develop emotional and physical security. By displaying affection, you can tell them you are there for them at all costs. This boosts their confidence and helps them become vocal about their problems.
Transparency
There’s nothing more important than a relationship based on transparency between parents and children. A transparent approach can allow children to communicate truthfully with their parents. It can also deepen the bond that a child shares with their parents. Transparency can play a dominant role in a child’s development. It can allow them to make better choices and improve their outlook on relationships.
Are you looking for a book to help you understand how mental health affects a child’s development? Between Two Worlds by Birol Bahadir is a real-life story of a German immigrant with Turkish roots. The book provides a whole outlook of the author’s life from the beginning and how mental health affected his life experiences. It’s a perfect account for anyone who wants to learn about the challenges of living as a diaspora. It also includes chunks about Birol’s life from his children and his challenges growing up.
Get the book today.
