How To Talk To Your Kids About Their Mental Health

Getting your child to communicate with you and talk about their emotions and mental health can be very challenging. This is especially true if you are a parent of a teen or young adult. Here are some simple strategies you can use to help you and your teen talk about their mental health.

Take A Relaxed Approach

The biggest mistake most parents make when trying to talk to their children, particularly if they are a teenager, is to make talking about their feelings or emotions a chore or event. 

You will have much more success getting your child to open up if your share an activity together. This creates a more relaxed space and takes the pressure off your child. They will often begin sharing their thoughts on their own after the bond between you has been reinforced by spending time with them.

Teenagers can often be more difficult to connect with, and this is at a time when they may need help the most. Becoming an adult is difficult and comes with a lot of stress and anxiety. 

There are techniques to help you enable teens to overcome anxiety, and give them the tools they need to grow and develop while dealing effectively with the pressures of the modern world.

Start A Positive Conversation

If your child does not begin to open up, you can still start up the conversation. Being direct with them can often make them feel intimidated, under pressure, or make them think they are in some kind of trouble. Start a positive conversation with them, perhaps by sharing your own experiences.

To find out what is going on with your child you will need to ask them questions, but it is important they do not feel like they are being interrogated. Keep your enquiries light, and social. Give them time and space to slowly tell you more and listen carefully to what they are saying.

When something is troubling a child, especially a tween or teen, they can feel like they are trouble and sharing their concerns may lead to punishment. By creating a space where they can feel safe and by re-establishing the bonds of trust, they are much more likely to share things with you.

Be Supportive And Find Solutions With Them

The natural urge to help your child is powerful, but it is important to allow yourself and them to find solutions to their problems. Do not rush to take control of their situation or protect them. They need time and space for their feelings to be appreciated and validated.

Teenagers are growing not just physically, but emotionally too. The challenges that young adults face can be very confusing and intimidating for them. You need to reassure them that their emotions are valid, and you understand their point of view. This will help them to develop the psychological tools and strategies they will need later in their life.

Parenthood is challenging but growing up in the modern world can be even more difficult. Create spaces where they can feel secure, and free from judgment. They will be much more likely to open up to you and share their problems.