Raising a child can be challenging. It is difficult to determine what a child is going through and what they need for support, especially in cases when the child doesn’t fully understand what they’re going through themselves. Having a mental illness as a child can have a severe impact on a child and their development, affecting their future careers and overall quality of life in the long-term. There are many professional support programs teaching effective parenting methods, but there are many ways to get involved in your child’s mental health from home within day-to-day contexts. This post aims to provide those strategies to aid parents in navigating mental health crises in their children.
Know the Signs
The first step to helping your child is to understand, as much as possible, what they are experiencing, and, by learning all the signs, you can identify when your child may be in need of some extra care and support. The National Institute of Mental Health has provided a list of things to look out for when your child is experiencing a problem: suicidal thoughts or ideation, substance abuse, decreased physical health (e.g. sleep, energy, movement), excessive dieting or movement, engagement in high-risk circumstances, or feeling/seeming out of control. Other signs include decline in task performance, persistent anxiety or anxiousness, numerous temper tantrums, and out-of-character aggression or sadness. If any of these symptoms are shown in your child, it is likely a good time to intervene and reach out for anything they may need.
Nurture
Children experiencing a mental health crisis can be fragile, so it’s important to work with this fragility and nurture a caring, loving environment. The child must know that their current condition does not define or impact the love that their friends and family have for them. With this state of unconditional love, the child’s self-esteem and confidence will rise, further supporting their journey to an improved mental state. Certain specific methods include regular praise, supporting honesty, constant encouragement, and working towards common goals as a family.
Interaction
It is highly important that every child receives consistent contact with other people within their age as well as with their family in general. By encouraging social interactions, the child can discover different parts of their personalities and character while also learning about how the world works. Whether it be going to the park and playing with local children or staying at home for a family game night, having the child in a stimulating environment can greatly aid in their development.
Educational Guidance
A child in need of support may not have their studies as their first priority, and, as a parent, school is likely the least of your concerns. However, having structured guidance and daily schedules can be highly beneficial to your child. This education should be constructive, engaging, disciplined, and fun for your child in order for it to have a positive and lasting impact on their mental health. For example, setting goals together, as aforementioned, can leave a positive impact, but only if the parent is firm, but kind, with a goal that is guaranteed to be within reach. And, of course, avoiding a “pet” treatment (e.g. bribing, training, etc.) would be good as it is rarely ever very effective. Through discussion and proper communication, the parent can correct their children’s behavior without the use of training methods.
Security
Constantly sharing and talking about your personal thoughts and feelings can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. By fostering an open environment, the family can bond with each other’s common weaknesses and struggles; furthermore, many children in mental health crises can feel quite vulnerable and invisible, so this sort of conversation can make them feel heard and noticed, especially by someone as important as their parents. Needless to note, every person can be scared or nervous about anything. It is important to consider that fearlessness is not the trait you are trying to foster but rather a state of openness, shared vulnerability, and security within the home.
These are just a few strategies available to parents in need of guidance on navigating their children’s mental health crises. It is understandable, however, that extra external support may also be necessary through the form of mental health professionals, outreach programs, community groups, health services, support groups, and more. Know that you are not alone in your journey, and help is always there when needed. The journey of mental health is not an easy one, so these at-home strategies and external support systems can aid one greatly.
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