The statistics are staggering. The State of the World’s Children 2021 report revealed that approximately 16 million adolescents aged 10-19 live with a mental disorder in Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition, anxiety disorder was reported as the second leading cause of disability among 10–14-year-olds.
Perhaps you’re surprised by this, or perhaps not. Maybe, you had no idea the problem was so extensive, or maybe you have seen first-hand how much our children are struggling. Every child deserves a chance to succeed, and mental health disorders can interfere with a child’s healthy development and lead to problems that linger long into adulthood. So, as a parent or carer for children, what can you do? What steps can you take to nurture your child’s mental health and set them on the path to learning well, living well, and contributing to the community?
Eight Ways to Help Support Your Child’s Mental Health
- Be a good listener. Check in with your child regularly. Ask them how they’re doing. Be that safe place where your child can openly share how they are feeling and what they are thinking about without judgement or punishment.
- Help them to work through problems. When you are actively involved in your child’s life, you’ll be able to notice any change in behaviour that might signal a problem. They might be struggling to resolve an issue on their own and may be lashing out in uncharacteristic ways. Come alongside them and be the support that they need to work through their feelings.
- Get to know them well. Be a student of your child and aim for more than a passing grade. Find out what’s important to them and show genuine interest. Spending time with your child, focusing on their interests helps them to value who they are and builds their confidence and self-esteem.
- Value their voice. Too often children are left feeling like their opinions don’t matter. Show your child that you respect their opinion and take what they say seriously. Remember you’re teaching them that who they are and what they have to share matter.
- Help them to shine. What does your child like to do? What are they good at? Encourage them to explore their interests by giving them opportunities to develop their creativity and passions. As they develop new skills and talents, it helps to boost their mental well-being and resilience.
- Build positive routines. Healthy meals, exercise, and a good sleep schedule each play a pivotal role in promoting mental health. Make building these into your child’s schedule a priority. Further, eating or exercising with others adds the extra benefit that comes from social interaction.
- Limit social media use. Many studies have shown that excessive social media use disrupts sleep and increases the risk of depression, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness, as well as a number of other mental health disorders. Don’t be fooled into thinking that your child is immune to its ill effects, but rather encourage a healthy balance. Setting media-free times or zones (such as no media during dinner or in the bedroom) is one way to help prevent social media from becoming all-consuming.
- Protect your own mental health. In addition to the challenges of parenting, work and relationship issues can all feel a bit overwhelming at times. Find ways to rest, recover, and restore your mental and emotional energy after a trying week. Seek out friends or family who can be there for you or seek the help of a mental health counsellor. When you take the time to care for your mental health, you’ll be more able to help protect and encourage your child’s. In addition, modelling what it looks like to protect your mental health will greatly help your child to do the same, both now and in the future.
Supporting your child’s mental health gives them the best chance to stay mentally healthy and develop ways to cope with life’s challenges.
