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 We all have mental health, all the time. When we have good mental health, we can happily think, feel, function and interact well.
Aim to support your mental health by being active, connecting with others, being present, sharing and learning. |
| Talking about mental health is important, even from an early age. Start by encouraging very young children to recognise and describe their feelings.
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 As with any other conversation aim to use age appropriate honesty. Consider your child’s emotional and intellectual maturity. If they are aware enough to ask a question, their level of understanding is in need of an honest answer.
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Before talking to your child about mental health, think about yourself. 
How are you feeling? Could this be difficult? Could this be triggering? Do you need support? Would some research be useful?
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Calm conversations C Contain your child’s feelings A Allow them time to talk L Listen carefully M Manage your own responses
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 Well intentioned, overly- optimistic reassurances or dismissive answers are not useful. Children are usually left feeling misunderstood and isolated with their query or worry.
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| We are here to support, listen or advise anytime. Contact us Monday to Thursday 9am to 9pm. Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.
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 Children are more emotionally aware than we usually think. From birth, babies are hard- wired to increasingly understand our facial expressions, tone of voice and body language. This awareness is inbuilt, instinctive and protects survival. |
If children understand mental health, they learn compassion for others, and themselves. |
 Try to imagine your child’s brain as a powerful radar attached to a huge interactive library. They are constantly absorbing, processing and storing factual and emotional information. |
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| Try comparing mental ill- health with physical ill- health. Most people recover well…
Sometimes mental ill- health is very minor and we get better quickly. Sometimes it is more serious and we need a doctor and medicines. Sometimes it is very serious and we need to go to hospital. |
For young children… keep explanations as visual as possible.
For school age… be more specific and be prepared to explain how the situation may affect them. For teenagers… ask them what they already think or know. Be prepared for misinformation replayed from peers and social media.
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| It is important for children of all ages to understand that they are never responsible for the mental ill- health of others and that mental ill- health is not ‘infectious’ |  There is a huge range of age appropriate children’s books on this topic. They can be an excellent way to open reassuring conversations.
www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/ Also, as ever, Childline 0800 1111 |
| We are here to support, listen or advise anytime. Contact us Monday to Thursday 9am to 9pm. Friday 9am to 5 pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.
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