Mental health is as important as physical health. It affects how we think and feel for ourselves and the people around us. Good mental health promotes positive relationships, good decisions and healthy coping skills.
A mentally healthy child can develop friendships, learn new things and do well in school. Bad mental health can negatively affect the way a child feels, thinks and behaves. Early detection and treatment can help. Ignoring your child’s mental health could lead to serious problems later in life. These could include serious mental or emotional problems, misuse of substances or even suicide.
Way to the best health
Nourishing your child’s mental health is one of the most important works of parents. It helps sit a basis for the well -being of your child in adulthood.
There are many things you can do to support your child’s mental well -being.
Develop trust and self -esteem
Children with good self -esteem are happier. They are less likely to influence group pressure. They are able to make better decisions.
- Praise them. Recognize your efforts and achievements. Offer breath.
- Give them responsibilities. Assign appropriate tasks for your child’s age. They will feel good about contributing.
- Spend time together. Children know they are important when people spend time with them.
Teach resistance
The challenges are part of life. It may be difficult to see our children fight or hurt. But you can teach them how to overcome difficult times.
- Help them deal with loss and change. Be honest and clear. Support and calm your children. Try to find positive aspects in the situation if you can.
- Help them control stress. Stress cannot be avoided. Teach methods to handle it. This could include deep breathing or walk.
- Help them learn from setbacks. Challenges and setbacks are good learning opportunities. Help your child discover what you can learn from the mistakes they make.
Provide emotional support
Children can have difficulty dealing with emotions. You can help by:
- Listening to them. Let your child express your feelings. Recognize your concerns and take them seriously to develop confidence.
- Help them understand your feelings. Try to explain to your child what you are feeling and why.
- Teach them to handle your feelings. Knowing what to do with feelings is a challenge for children. Teach them appropriate ways to express yourself in a healthy way.
Provide safety and safety
Children must feel safe in their homes and in their relationships.
- Give unconditional love. Make sure your child knows that you love them all the time, regardless of their achievements.
- Maintain routines. Children feel safer when they know what is coming. Consistency reduces stress. Providing routines around activities such as sleeping and meals makes children feel safe.
- Help them be physically healthy. Children need a healthy body to have a healthy mind. Make sure they sleep enough, eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly.
Things to consider
Sometimes children have serious mental health problems. Half of mental health disorders show their first signs before the age of 14. You cannot control some of the factors that can lead to this. This includes family history, brain chemistry and life experiences that cause stress or pain.
There are common signs that a child is fighting with their mental health. If you see any of these symptoms, call your family doctor:
- Frequent episodes of depression, sadness or irritability
- Frequently feeling worried or anxious
- Sleep or not enough problems
- Periods of intense activity
- Constant hyperactivity or disturbance
- Decline the performance in school
- Avoid spending time with friends or family
- Frequent tantrums
- Stomach pains or headaches without physical explanation
- Fear of gaining
- Excessive diet or exercise
- Self -harm, how to cut or burn the skin
- Substance abuse
- Suicide thoughts
Mental health conditions commonly observed in children include ADHD, anxiety, autism, bipolar disorder and depression.
Questions to ask your doctor
- If I have depression, does my son have a higher risk of it?
- What mental illnesses are hereditary?
- What kind of treatment is better for what my son is experiencing?
- Should my son see a psychiatrist?
- Does my son need medicine?
- What are the side effects of medicines used to treat mental health disorders in children?
Resources
Centers for disease control and prevention: about children’s mental health
National Health Institutes, Medlineplus: Children’s Mental Health
