- Is it important to talk about my mental health: Yes. Suicide and suicide attempts cause serious emotional, physical, and economic impacts. People who attempt suicide and survive may experience serious injuries that can have long-term effects on their health. They may also experience depression and other mental health concerns.
- What is a mental health disorder? Mental disorders among children are described as serious changes in the way children typically learn, behave, or handle their emotions, which cause distress and problems getting through the day. Many children occasionally experience fears and worries or display disruptive behaviors.
- Who is affected? Childhood mental disorders affect many children and families. Boys and girls of all ages and ethnic/racial backgrounds and living in all regions of the United States experience mental disorders. Based on the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine report, which gathered findings from previous studies, it is estimated that in 2007, 13–20% of children living in the United States (up to 1 out of 5 children) experienced a mental disorder in a given year.
- What you can do? Parents: You know your child best. Talk to your child’s healthcare professional if you have concerns about the way your child behaves at home, in school, or with friends. Youth: It is just as important to take care of your mental health as it is to take care of your physical health. If you are angry, worried or sad, don’t be afraid to talk about your feelings and reach out to a trusted friend or adult (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2024).
Caring for Your Mental Health
Physical health: Exercise regularly, eat healthy meals, and stay hydrated. Adults need 7–9 hours of sleep per night, so you can try developing a bedtime routine and avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and TV before bed.
Activities: Do things you enjoy, like cooking, playing with a pet, reading, or watching a movie. You can also schedule time for relaxing activities that use mindfulness or breathing exercises, like yoga or tai chi.
Social support: Build a social support network and stay connected with friends and family. You can also volunteer or get together with others to work on good causes.
Positive emotions: Practice gratitude, focus on positivity, and laugh. Positive emotions can reduce stress hormones and build emotional strength.
Self-care: Make a self-care kit with things that comfort you and help you relax, like a favorite book, pictures, a stress ball, or a blanket. You can also set boundaries to feel safe and comfortable, like limiting certain activities or setting expectations around physical safety measures.
Avoid harmful substances: Steer clear of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and kava.
Seek help: If you feel unable to cope, have suicidal thoughts, or use drugs or alcohol to cope, talk to a mental health professional (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; n.d.).
Positive Parenting Tips
As a parent you give your children a good start in life—you nurture, protect, and guide them. Parenting is a process that prepares your child for independence. As your child grows and develops, there are many things you can do to help your child.
- Talk with your child about school, friends, and things they look forward to in the future. Talk with your child about respecting themselves and others.
- Do fun things together as a family, such as playing games, reading, and going to events in your community.
- Talk with your child about their concerns and pay attention to any changes in their behavior. Ask them if they have had suicidal thoughts, particularly if they seem sad or depressed. Asking about suicidal thoughts will not cause them to have these thoughts, but it will let them know that you care about how they feel. Seek professional help if necessary.
- Help your child develop his own sense of right and wrong. Talk with him about risky things friends might pressure him to do, like smoking or dangerous physical dares.
- Help your child set his own goals. Encourage him to think about skills and abilities he would like to have and about how to develop them.
More Parent tips are available for different age groups at: https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/basics.html
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, August 5). What is children’s mental health? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.-a). Positive parenting tips. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/child-development/positive-parenting-tips/index.html
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Caring for your mental health. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health
