This Thursday, May 8th, National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day will be observed. For nearly 20 years, SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) has recognized this day to bring attention to the mental health needs of children and adolescents. It is an annual event that occurs on the Thursday of the first full week of May.
Children and teens in this country continue to experience an unprecedented mental health crisis. There has been a continued rise in the number of young people diagnosed with a mental health condition like depression or anxiety. An estimated one in five youth has a diagnosable mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder; however, many do not receive the help they need.
Parents play an important role in their child’s mental health and wellbeing. You are the most important person in your child’s life and therefore, the most influential. Some parents; however, don’t really know what to do when their child faces a mental health concern. That’s why we are bringing you some tips so you can best support your child.
As a parent, it is important that you are aware of the signs of a potential mental health condition. All children experience sadness, anger and frustration; this doesn’t mean there is an issue with their mental health. You know your child best, so if they are acting differently take the time to explore what may be going on with them. Look out for these signs as they could signify a mental health concern that may need professional attention if they are occurring more than what is normal for your child.
- Low energy
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping more than usual
- Unusual eating patterns
- Loss of interest in enjoyable activities
- Isolation and avoiding social activities
- Self-harming
- Using alcohol, tobacco, or other substances
- Increased risk-taking or destructive behavior
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- More intense symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, or paranoia
*If your child is experiencing any of the warning signs listed above, seek help from a professional. Starting with their primary care physician is a good first step to take. They can direct you on how to proceed if they suspect there is a mental health concern.
Aside from being aware of warning signs, there are other important steps you can take to support your child’s wellbeing.
1. Establish a healthy relationship with your child where you communicate openly. It’s important to listen to your child when they speak, even about small things in their life. This shows them that they are important to you and then when a larger issue arises, they will feel more comfortable in going to you for help. Try not to share advice all the time, sometimes kids just want to be heard. Dedicate weekly one-on-one time with your child to just spend time with one another.
2. Be a good role model for your child by practicing a generally healthy lifestyle. Try to manage your stress in healthy and productive ways.
3. Establish regular structure and routines. This will give them a sense of stability and will help them to feel less stressed. Try not to over schedule activities and ensure that each child has some down time in their week.
4. Find time in your schedule for family. You could start by making it a goal to have dinner as a family at least 3 nights a week. You may also want to dedicate one night each week to family time where you can play games, go on outings or just hang out and watch a movie together.
5. Encourage healthy friendships. While you can’t choose your child’s friends, you can encourage positive outlets such as sports, dance or theater where they can meet other children with common interests. Ask your child about their friends and what makes them a good friend. Make an effort to meet their families, especially if they are going to spend time together outside of school. If you sense they have a friend who isn’t the best influence, point out what concerning behaviors you see them exhibiting. Don’t forbid the friendship but encourage them to spend time with other children.
6. Be open in discussing real life issues with your child. Don’t be afraid to talk about mental health, drug use, sexuality, bullying and any other common issues that youth may face today. You want to be the person they get their information from, not the internet, and you do this by establishing an open line of communication. Tell them they can ask you any question and make sure you react calmly when they do come to you. If you freak out and want to know why they are asking, they probably won’t ask you again.
Research consistently shows that children who feel their parents are involved in their lives and education have fewer mental health problems, including bullying, suicidal thoughts, and other emotional concerns. You have the power to make a positive difference in your child’s life so start today by taking a moment to connect with your child.
For more information on National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day and National Mental Health Month visit
Mental Health America https://mhanational.org/mental-health-month
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry https://www.aacap.org/Mental_Health_Awareness_Month
