August 8, 2022

August 8, 2022

A Guide To Encouraging Positive Mental Health In Children

The importance of mental health has come a long way since the days of stark misunderstandings of what the concept really means. In recent years, mental health advocates and associations have worked tirelessly to create a destigmatized image of mental health and what it means for the overall health of a person (and society at large). Before this movement, people with mental health disorders were often made to feel less than or afraid to come forward because of what others may think of them. 

Now that those dark connotations surrounding mental health are changing, people are freer to express their struggles. Seeking out help for mental health issues has also become a lot easier because of the societal changes surrounding a person’s mental wellbeing and how it affects their life. 

The upswing in acceptance and assistance for people with mental health disorders mainly focuses on adults, but positive mental health needs to be a priority for children as well. So how do you encourage positive mental health in children?

Why is a child’s mental health so important? 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental health is vital to a child’s development. Their emotional and developmental progress depends on mental health, as does their ability to learn healthy social skills and coping devices they can take into adulthood. Children with positive mental health experiences are far more likely to excel in life.  

Children who live with mental disorders experience drastic hurdles with learning, behavior, and emotional regulation. Having poor mental health can lead to distress in their daily lives. This stress compromises their ability to function in school, at home, or with others. That's why it is vital to not only pay attention to any signs of poor mental health, but also actively promote good mental health in children as best you can. 

What promotes good mental health in children? 
A child’s mental health includes various components that make up overall wellbeing. These include: 

  • Positive emotions 
  • Satisfaction within their lives 
  • Feeling as though their life has a purpose 
  • Healthy coping and adaptation skills
  • Strong social and emotional competency 
  • Positive relationships with others 
  • Positive attitudes towards others 

Similar to adults, children cannot be all sunshine all the time – but that isn’t what good mental health is all about. How they react and adapt to situations is a large part of having a healthy mind. Negative experiences are unavoidable, but children with positive mental health components are better able to handle those situations. 

How do you teach children about mental health? 
Teaching children about mental health can be as simple as having a conversation. You must ensure that you talk about mental health to them in a way they’ll understand. Sitting down and explaining what is involved in mental health is the perfect place to start. 

Start by explaining what mental illnesses are and what they are not. A good comparison to use is a physical illness such as the flu. A person does not control whether or not they get the flu. Most people will also only be sick for a few days. However, others may get severely ill from the flu and require treatment. 

Mental health disorders are the same. Feelings such as stress, anxiety, worry, and sleep issues are normal. Everyone experiences these from time to time. When they do not go away or are unbearable, they cross over into illness territory.

A few things you can do as a parent when teaching your child about mental health include: 

  • Be straightforward when they ask questions
  • Be sure to communicate at their level – you want you child to understand, but not become overwhelmed by the scarier aspects of mental health issues 
  • Choose the right time i.e. when your child feels safe and comfortable 
  • Slow down if your child becomes visibly upset 
  • Give them time to process what you’re saying and gauge their reaction 

What is the role of parents in promoting mental health? 
As a parent, your child looks to you for everything. You are their sole provider for the basics of life and beyond. Children need their parents to guide them through life in a way that allows them the freedom to be independent in their curiosity while also knowing they have someone standing beside them. That is why parents play a crucial role in promoting mental health in their children. 

Parents need to be able to speak to their children openly about mental health and the emotions that go along with it. A good base for children involves building their mental health by giving them positive experiences, unconditional love, and a safe space to express themselves. 

How to support your child’s mental health 
To support your child’s positive mental health, you must start by creating an environment where they feel safe and loved. You can do this by: 

  • Connecting with them regularly 
  • Speaking openly with them and listening to them when they express feelings and experiences 
  • Validating their emotions 
  • Ensuring that you incorporate active family time together 
  • Offering praise and encouragement when your child does something good
  • Practicing safe communication so that your child will come to you when they’ve done something bad 
  • Allowing your child the space to make mistakes and learn from them 
  • Avoiding belittling or punishing your children for every little mistake they make 
  • Ensuring that when your child comes to you for any reason, positive or negative, you keep the focus on them and how you can help them through the experience 

A child’s mental health is vital to their overall development, and as a parent, you should make sure that you’re fostering positive mental health as early as possible. 

 

Featured image by MI PHAM on Unsplash