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Mental Health Information

Helpful Steps That Parents Can Take For Their Children’s Mental Health

By February 6, 2023No Comments
DALL-E Monet Style Painting of Montana Prairie 3

Acknowledgement – Co-drafted with Chat GPT with illustration by DALL-E

Encourage open communication: Encourage your child to express their feelings and emotions to you in a safe and non-judgmental environment. Listen actively and validate their experiences.

Maintain a healthy routine: Ensure that your child has a consistent routine including regular sleep, exercise, and healthy eating habits.

Foster self-care: Teach your child coping mechanisms and self-care practices, such as mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing, to manage stress and anxiety.

Provide structure and support: Offer support, encouragement and structure in your child’s life. Establish clear boundaries and guidelines to help them feel secure and stable.

Identify stressors: Be aware of potential stressors in your child’s life, such as school, friends, or family dynamics, and work with them to find solutions.

Encourage physical activity: Encourage your child to engage in physical activities, such as sports, dancing or exercise, as a healthy outlet for their emotions and energy.

Limit screen time: Limit the amount of time your child spends on devices, especially before bedtime, as it can impact their sleep and overall well-being.

Seek professional help: If necessary, seek help from a mental health professional, such as a therapist or counselor, to address any mental health concerns.

Lead by example: Model healthy coping strategies and self-care practices to help your child develop their own healthy habits.

Show love and support: Most importantly, show your child love, support and appreciation, and let them know that they are not alone and that they can always come to you for help.

 

Related Research:

Jones, E. A. K., Mitra, A. K., & Bhuiyan, A. R. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health in Adolescents: A Systematic Review. International journal of environmental research and public health18(5), 2470. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052470

O’Neil, A., Quirk, S. E., Housden, S., Brennan, S. L., Williams, L. J., Pasco, J. A., Berk, M., & Jacka, F. N. (2014). Relationship between diet and mental health in children and adolescents: a systematic review. American journal of public health, 104(10), e31–e42. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2014.302110

Lubans, D., Richards, J., Hillman, C., Faulkner, G., Beauchamp, M., Nilsson, M., Kelly, P., Smith, J., Raine, L., & Biddle, S. (2016). Physical Activity for Cognitive and Mental Health in Youth: A Systematic Review of Mechanisms. Pediatrics, 138(3), e20161642. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-1642