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FAMILY TIMETalking about mental health with our childrenAs parents, we all want our children to have the best possible start in life.Encouraging children to understand and be open about their feelings can givethem the skills to cope with the ups and downs that life will throw at them asthey grow up. It’s important that our children understand that emotions are normal,and that they have the confidence to ask for help if they are struggling.Make An Analogy To A Medical ProblemChildren often hear about medical problems and understand that if they have asthma, they knowthat the wheezing makes them uncomfortable, so they need to take medications for relief and avoidsituations that may trigger an attack. Similarly, you can let your child know that mental healthconcerns, like anxiety, depression, ADHD and OCD, among others, are also physical conditionsthat start with their brain. The brain controls feelings, thoughts and behavior — like the “centralheadquarters” of the body. Sometimes, the brain gets “knocked off balance,” but, like other medicalproblems, they can learn to manage this with treatment, which can include medications and behavioralsupport (stress reduction, relaxation, psychotherapies, etc.).Give Them Concrete ExplanationsChildren can understand mental health issues better if they have a concrete explanation. e.g “Ifyou walked across the street and a car was about to hit you, you would jump out of the way, feelscared, have a racing heart, feel dizzy or hyperventilate (breathe too fast). All of this is a normalfight-or-flight response to a real threat of danger. A panic attack can include all the same physicaland emotional reactions, except there is no car about to hit you. And while this might seem scary,there are ways to deal with it. Many times, panic attacks happen in ‘normal’ situations, such asgoing to school, riding in a car, going up in elevators, and in other settings that are not actuallydangerous. If you had panic disorder, you would most likely associate those places withpanic. In other words, your brain would react as if something bad is going to happen,maybe even just from thinking about those situations.”Listen To Them And Validate Their ExperiencesBecause there of stigma attached to mental health conditions, children can feel ashamed totalk about their worries, obsessions, compulsions, impulsivity and other behavioral problems.Talk with them about what they are experiencing. Listen with curiosity and empathizewith them. Show them that you are listening, sometimes they just need a listerning ear.Be Sure They Know This Is Not Their FaultMany children with mental health conditions can feel that their condition is their fault or thatit is an unchangeable feature of their personality or their identity. Stigma and misinformationoften reinforce these feelings. You can help them see that mental health conditions arecommon and that it is not a sign that something is wrong with them as a person. Emphasizetheir strengths so they don’t see their mental health condition as the most important part ofwho they are.30 Mental Balance Issue 1Feb 2022
Have Frequent ConversationsMany mental health conditions are considered intermittent — the symptoms can come andgo throughout life and may fluctuate in severity depending on age, level of stress or anynumber of factors. It helps to have conversations about emotions, thoughts and behaviorsthat are a part of your child’s condition from the time it begins. As they grow up, becomemore mature and are better able to understand themselves and their condition, your childwill see you as a trusted resource they can consult if they have a relapse or experience newsymptoms. Although it may not always be easy, maintaining an open and understandingrelationship can be critical.Let Them Ask You QuestionsChildren will have all sorts of questions about their symptoms and treatment, so being openand giving them information about the ways therapy and/or medications can help will bereassuring. If you do not have all the best information, plan to meet with your child and theirmental health clinician together to discuss the problem and their questions. If your child asksa question you don’t know the answer to, it’s ok to say you don’t know and then work togetherto find an answer.Include The FamilyIdeally, a mental health condition should not be a secret. Your child may feel moresecure if their siblings/ grandparents/others in the family know about it, can talk withthem about it and accept it — just as they would accept any other medical problem,like diabetes. This kind of transparency is incredibly helpful to prevent feelings ofshame or isolation.Discuss Self-Care And PreventionMental health conditions are a complex interaction between biology, psychology andenvironmental factors. Teaching your child to practice self-care, including maintaining ahealthy diet, exercising regularly, meditating and getting sufficient sleep, are instrumentalin preventing relapses and diminishing symptoms.Don’t Be Afraid To Ask About SuicideIn recent years, rates of death by suicide and suicidal thinking haveincreased in young people. Many parents and caregivers are wary of asking achild if they have suicidal thoughts, intentions or plans. They may be afraidthat starting the conversation may cause suicidal behavior, but this connectionhas proven to be false. Asking about suicide may be a relief for peopleof all ages. If your child has a mental health condition, it’s important tocheck-in with them about suicidal thoughts.Talking with your child about their mental health condition is not easy. However, youare more than capable of opening a dialogue.Some ways to start a conversation about feelings might be:“How are you feeling at the moment?”“You don’t seem your usual self. Do you want to talk about it?”“Do you fancy a chat?”“I’m happy to listen if you need a chat.”we value your feedback, tell us what you think about this, you can do so on our websitewww.mentalbalanceseries.com or facebook, instagram or twitter on mental balance seriesFeb 2022 Issue 1Mental Balance 31
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Page 14 and 15: SUSTAINABLE MENTAL HEALTH PROVISION
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