Child Mental Health Support: Tips for Parents

“A recent analysis of the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health data published online in JAMA Pediatrics indicated that as many as one in six U.S. children between the ages of 6 and 17 has a treatable mental health disorder such as depression, anxiety problems or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).”

Everybody understands how important good mental health is, but how do you help your kids accomplish that? Here are a few things to keep in mind about your child’s mental health.

1. Give unconditional love to your kids.

Every kid deserves and needs his or her parents and other family members to have love and affection towards them. Love, protection, and acceptance are the building blocks for the right mental health of a child. Make sure your child understands that your affection does not depend on getting good grades or being excellent at sports or other achievements. Also, let them realize that when they grow up, it is common to make mistakes, and errors will not diminish your affection. When your child knows that there are no limits to your love, his or her self-confidence grows.

2. Foster self-esteem and confidence:

Help your kids build self-esteem and confidence by trying to praise for things they do. Allow them to take the next move and explore new things and appreciate them. Please provide them with a secure environment to play and be actively engaged in their sports. Parents also need to set clear expectations for their kids that suit the strengths and ambitions of the children. While the child grows older, he or she can help choose objectives that are a little more demanding and evaluate their skill more. Prevent being harmful or harsh. If your kid fails a test or loses a match, give your guarantee by providing a pat on the back. Be frank with your child, but be soft. Don’t mask the facts with little white lies or gloss over your own mistakes or disappointments. It helps to learn that parents are human who makes mistakes at times. Encourage your kids to take pride in learning. Attempting out new things helps kids learn to work together and develop new skills and gain self-esteem.

3. Provide direction and punishment.

Kids need to play, discover, and understand, but they also need to realize that some behaviors are harmful and unwelcome. As a parent, give your child proper supervision and sufficient discipline where possible. Make sure the training within the family is fair and consistent. Do not change the rules to favor one kid over another. It is necessary to set an excellent example for you too. Kids cannot be expected to obey family rules if their parents regularly violate the laws. It is required to talk about their inappropriate behavior while your kid is doing something wrong. Explain why your child is being punished and what are the possible consequences of their actions. Do not try to control the child but give him or her the chance to learn self-control.

4. Ensure safe and secure environments.

Home is where your kid should be experiencing no anxiety. Though, despite your best efforts, there are conditions and scenarios where kids get nervous, upset, shy, or withdrawn. Stress is very critical to teenagers. Try to find out what causes the fear, and how you can fix it. Signs of fear show shifts in behaviors of eating or sleeping, hostility, anxious mannerisms, or severe shyness.

5. Motivate your kid to play with other children:

Kids love to play, so give your kid enough opportunities to play with other kids inside and outside the house. While enjoyable, playtime always helps kids learn new skills, problem-solving, self-control, and imagination. Running, climbing, and playing soccer and other intense physical exercises help children stay healthy, both physically and mentally. If your kid has no age-appropriate neighborhood friends, consider a good children’s program at community centers, educational institutions, recreation centers, or parks.

6. Seek for helping and empowering teachers and caretakers.

You don’t always stand around your family. They go to classes, and they also have babysitters and other caretakers to look over. Still, they are essential in fostering good mental health for a child. Search for teachers and parents who are interested in the development of the child, and who provide constant encouragement and support.

7. Teach your child to be resilient.

Kids with good mental health have the following characteristics:

• A sense of happiness
• Zest for life, laughing and having fun
• Capability to discover new things
• Ability to adapt the change
• Ability to create and maintain good relationships
• Endurance to manage stress and heal from adversity

Also, being mentally and emotionally balanced doesn’t mean kids are never frustrated. Disappointments can cause anxiety, depression, and distress while a part of life.

This article helps you understand the ways to foster your kid’s mental health. Read the full article here.