December 20, 2024, 4:35 p.m.
Letting your child know that they can talk to you about their mental health is important. But how do you communicate to your children that you’re there for them without overwhelming them?
One of the biggest things you can do is to avoid forcing someone to talk to you about their mental health if they don’t want to. Try these four other tips as well:
- Emphasize that it’s normal to seek help for mood or behavior, and people can and do get treatment.
- Try talking briefly about the topic with your child and then invite the dialogue again in the future.
- Try talking in a calm environment.
- Model the behavior for your child. When you’re stressed or facing challenges, seek help.
If you have concerns about your child’s mental health, talk to their pediatrician. Need help finding a pediatrician? We’re here to assist. Learn more about what factors to consider when choosing a provider.
