We are surrounded by a changing culture when it comes to how the world views mental health. If you’re having trouble knowing how to foster those concepts at home, mental health experts at Priority Health suggest dinner time may be the perfect time. To bring it up.
It doesn’t have to be dinner time. It’s the only part of the day when everyone can gather together and have a calm conversation.
And don’t wait until you notice the problem. Good mental health is best developed in children whose parents laid the foundations for them early in life.
Their advice is:
- Choose a time and place that is comfortable, private, and free of distractions.
- Be respectful, curious, and open-minded. Ask open-ended questions such as “How are you feeling?” or “What are you going through?”
- If you feel like it, please share your feelings and experiences regarding mental health.
- Let your child know that it’s okay to seek professional help.
Remember:
For young children, it is important to use simple language and talk about situations and things they can touch and see. Avoid abstract terms.
As children reach school age, they are able to have more concrete, fact-based conversations and use examples from their day or from events in their family.
Teens need the reassurance of love and support from those around them and recognition of the complexity of mental health issues.
If you still need help with these conversations, Priority Health members have access to the myStrength mental health and wellness tool.
If you or a loved one in crisis need immediate help, call or text 988. You can also start a chat on 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Please extend your hand.
You are not alone and neither are your children.
