A child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health and development. Often, adults may dismiss kids’ emotions because they’re kids and are going through changes. However, they’re experiencing and growing up in a world where every new channel seems to dispel hate. Not to mention, they recently went through a pandemic.

Even day-to-day occurrences can hinder a child’s mental health and development, which is why you must support your child’s mental health. Find them the care they need and be a positive role model for their mental health as they grow. Here are seven ways to support your child’s mental health.

A child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health and development. Here are seven ways to support your child’s mental health.

1. Model Healthy Coping Mechanisms

One way to support your child’s mental health is by modeling healthy coping skills to them. When you can show how to manage your own mental health, your children will want to do the same. Anytime you’re struggling with your mental health, be sure to deal with it healthily.

Activities like deep breathing, going for a walk, journaling or creating something are all healthy outlets. You can teach your children to do the same. Engage in these skills with them, and teach them how they can use them in stressful situations or feel overwhelmed.

2. Be on the Lookout for Signs of Poor Mental Health

The sooner you detect that your child may have a mental health disorder, the faster they can be on the road to recovery. Kids go through behavior changes — it’s a regular part of their development. However, if you notice dramatic changes in their behavior, it might be a sign that something more serious is going on in their lives.

Common signs of a mental health disorder include isolating themselves, changes in sleep patterns, eating changes and feeling less energized. These can be treated with some coping skills and a few therapy sessions, or they may need to be treated by a professional if severe enough.

3. Give Them Opportunities to Play

Kids need playtime. Children have more energy than adults, and when they can’t release their daily frustrations and feelings through playtime, they pent up their emotions which could lead to mental health issues.

Play, in general, promotes positive feelings. Allow your kids some unstructured free-play time every day. During unstructured play, kids are free to feel many emotions and express them by themselves or with other kids. It keeps them resilient, and they are better able to handle most situations on their own. Over 250 million people experience mental health disorders, and often, they start in childhood. Let your kids play.

4. Create a Positive Home Environment with Routine

Uncertainty in a child’s life can trigger mental health disorders. It leads to stress and anxiety, and without coping mechanisms, the child’s condition could worsen. Adding routine and structure to your home life can provide more of a sense of security for your child and, therefore, make them feel more comfortable in the home.

Additionally, make sure you’re creating positivity in your home. Limit how much television and media you and your children consume, which can be full of fearful topics. Keep serious conversations to yourself or with you and your spouse. If you have disagreements, discuss them when your children aren’t home. Also, make healthy meals and encourage exercise as a way to promote positive mental wellbeing.

5. Provide Openness and Honesty in Communication

As a parent, you want to make sure your children come to you when they’re struggling with something or even when they have good news to share. Provide openness when it comes to communicating about any topic. They should know that they can approach you with anything.

When they do talk to you about something serious, entirely give your attention and listen to them. Respond with love and respect. Support them in all they do. Additionally, be open and honest with them. When you can get past omitting details or not telling the truth, you build trust and strengthen your relationship, which is great for their mental health.

6. Let Your Kids Show Their Emotions — Good and Bad

Of course, you want to protect your child from any harm, and you don’t want to see them cry, get angry or feel stressed. However, emotions are a natural part of human nature. It’s okay to feel those emotions, and it’s best if you let them feel sad or angry from time to time. When they are feeling bad, validate their feelings. Try to understand where they’re coming from.

This shows your children that you care and want to help build their self-esteem. Ask questions about their lives and be involved as much as possible. If your child doesn’t feel comfortable talking to you about their emotions, help them find someone to talk to about them.

7. Seek Professional Help When Needed

Ultimately, if your child’s mental health condition doesn’t seem to be improving, it might be time to seek professional help. Some of the more common mental health disorders among children include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), behavior disorders and anxiety. As they grow older, these could turn into depression.

Early diagnosis of these mental health disorders is the best possible circumstance. The sooner a child receives the proper treatment, the better off they will be in the future. Recognizing that your child needs professional care is one of the best things you can do as a parent. It will benefit you and your child.

Early diagnosis of mental health disorders is the best possible circumstance. If your child’s mental health condition doesn’t seem to be improving, it might be time to seek professional help.

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There’s Always Hope

In good times and bad, remind your child that there’s always hope. Be there for your child in everything they do, and use these tips to support their mental health.