Being able to have open and honest conversations with your child about potentially difficult topics is an important skill for every parent. Today, we’re going to focus on how to talk about mental health with your son or daughter.
Why is it Important to Talk About Mental Health With Your Children?
In addition to learning how to talk about mental health with your son or daughter, it is also important to think about why you should have this conversation.
The most important reason, of course, is that it can prepare your child to respond to current or future psychological concerns in a healthy and productive manner. A secondary (but by no means insignificant) reason to have this discussion is that it demonstrates to your child that mental illness isn’t something that they should be ashamed to talk about.
Though ongoing awareness campaigns have removed much of the stigma that had previously been attached to mental illnesses among the general public, the unfortunate truth is that many parents and families continue to treat this topic as a taboo.
Your willingness to discuss mental health openly and honestly is a step toward eradicating this destructive mindset for good.
Tips on How to Talk About Mental Health With Your Son or Daughter
There is no single “right” way to talk about mental health or any other challenging topic with your children. What’s most important is finding the way that works best for you and your family. With that understanding, here are a few tips on how to talk about mental health with your son or daughter:
- Start early: Don’t wait until you or your child are in crisis before you broach the topic. You wouldn’t wait until your child got hurt before talking to them about basic safety, so don’t delay this important conversation, either.
- Be age-appropriate: For younger children, discussions about mental health may include simply talking about what makes them happy, sad, anxious, or fearful. You may want to take advantage of professionally produced resources such as the Meet Little Monster activity book that was developed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
- Continue the conversation: Mental health is a topic that merits ongoing discussion. Plan to have many conversations through the years. As your children grow up, you can address more complex topics in a more sophisticated manner.
- Discuss, don’t lecture: Yes, you have important information to impart to your children — but it’s important for them to feel that they are contributing to the conversation instead of merely being lectured to. Also, when you encourage your children to share their thoughts and insights, you can be better prepared to address areas of concern before they become big problems.
- Don’t be judgmental: One of your goals with these ongoing conversations should be to create a safe and welcoming space where your children will feel comfortable talking to you about difficult topics. If they fear they will be criticized or punished because of what they say, they will be extremely unlikely to participate.
Benefits of Talking About Mental Health
Earlier in this post, we addressed two important benefits of talking about mental health with your children:
- You can help them address current concerns or prepare them for future challenges.
- You are helping to replace stigma with compassion and understanding.
Here are some additional benefits of having these conversations:
- You demonstrate to your children how important they are to you.
- You can dispel myths and ensure they have accurate information.
- You can identify (and address) minor concerns before they cause significant harm.
- You can develop a more transparent and trusting relationship with your children.
- You open the door for honest conversations on other difficult topics.
What to Do if You Believe Your Son or Daughter May Have a Mental Health Disorder
Conversations about mental health can be extremely important – but sometimes, just talking about a problem isn’t enough. If you suspect that your son or daughter may have developed a mental health disorder, it may be time to consult with a professional.
Your family doctor can be a great place to start, especially if your child already has a good relationship with them. They can assess your child’s needs and recommend appropriate treatment options. Depending on the nature and severity of your child’s mental health struggles, these options may range from scheduling occasional outpatient counseling sessions to enrolling them in a residential program.
As we mentioned when discussing how to talk about mental health with your child, there is no one single treatment approach that’s best for everyone. When you are evaluating treatment programs, it’s important to focus on how closely the provider’s services and philosophy align with your child’s needs.
Contact Our Mental Health Center in California Today
If someone that you care about has developed anxiety, depression, or another mental health concern, Montare at the Valley may have the services that can significantly improve their life. Our mental health treatment center in Southern California is a highly supportive environment where patients receive personalized care from a team of skilled and compassionate professionals.
With our help, your loved one can find the path toward improved health and a much more hopeful future. To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact Us page or call us today.
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