5 Ways Parents Can Support Their Child’s Mental Wellbeing

Mental health issues aren’t exclusive to adults. Children can feel stressed or anxious about major events, such as the first day back to school, or even normal day-to-day occurrences. They can also experience depression and other mood disorders. Parents play a major role in helping their children cope with these stressors and learn how to manage their feelings and emotions. This is especially important in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey, 37 percent of high school students experienced poor mental health and almost 20 percent seriously thought about suicide in 2021.

From an early age, parents should closely monitor their child’s behavior, mood, and feelings and do all they can to help them process their emotions. While professional intervention shouldn’t be overlooked, the following are five crucial tips for parents to help support their child’s mental health.

1. Watch for Changes in Behavior

It’s natural for a child’s behavior to change as they age. Younger children, for instance, may experience anxiety in new and unfamiliar settings. However, this isn’t atypical behavior and, more often than not, subsides as they make friends and become more comfortable in their environment. If the anxiety and unwillingness to engage with others continue for an extended period, it could be a sign that the child isn’t able to process their feelings or the situation.

Parents should monitor their child’s behaviors at all stages of development with a particular focus on their interpersonal relationships. If their child is increasingly spending more time alone and isolated from family and friends, parents should talk to them about any issues that may be bothering them and let them know they’re loved and supported.

2. Have Open and Honest Conversations

Instead of having to initiate difficult conversations, parents can make their children feel more comfortable approaching them with any problems they might have by regularly engaging in open and honest conversations. If a child knows their parents are there to discuss any problems they have without fear of judgment or repercussions, they’re more likely to ask for help. It’s also important to recognize and validate the child’s feelings and concerns rather than immediately trying to find a solution.

“Comfort them,” notes University of Alberta associate professor of developmental science Wendy Hoglund. “That is typically the best thing. But also talk with other adults your child is exposed to. It might help give a more well-rounded picture of your child’s mental state.”

Moreover, parents should encourage their children to talk about their feelings and even share their feelings to promote the importance of mental health.

3. Set Routines and Boundaries

Parents can decrease the likelihood and frequency of their children feeling stressed or anxious by adhering to clear day-to-day routines. Uncertainty is a big factor in childhood stress and anxiety, but parents can mitigate this by creating daily or weekly schedules. Children should also have clear expectations of what’s expected of them to minimize feelings of frustration and anxiety.

While schedules are important, that doesn’t mean parents shouldn’t carve out time to give their children a choice in what they want to do. Even on their best days, kids have minimal control over their lives. Giving them a choice and allowing them opportunities to do what they want can make them feel heard and respected.

4. Encourage Physical Activity

Like adults, children require plenty of physical activity to maintain good physical and mental health. Limiting screen time and encouraging children to spend time playing outdoors is important not only to get them moving around but for exposure to fresh air and vitamin D, which helps regulate mood and has been shown to decrease the risk of depression.

Moreover, a 2019 study published in Sports Medicine found that physically active young people have lower levels of stress and psychological distress as well as higher levels of life satisfaction, positive self-image, and psychological wellbeing than those who don’t exercise regularly. Another study, published in Pediatrics, found that children aged 6 to 8 who exercised frequently had fewer major depression disorder symptoms two years later.

5. Teach Them Coping Mechanisms

Finally, parents need to discuss various coping methods and mechanisms with their children. Even the most well-adjusted child will likely experience stress and anxiety at some point during their life, so they must be equipped with the skills to manage these feelings. Parents should let their children know that these feelings are normal and share their own strategies for coping.

There are many different ways children — and adults — can alleviate feelings of fear, stress, and anxiety. These include physical activity, thinking positive thoughts, journaling, and taking deep breaths to relax. Parents can work with their child to find what works best for them.