Mental health is as important as ever. According to Life Stance Health, 68% of American parents have seen their children face significant mental and emotional challenges, including:
- Heading back to in-person school – 44%
- Adjusting to remote learning – 38%
- Grieving the loss of loved ones – 28%
While 50% of parents believe that missing life milestones, such as participating in graduation ceremonies and birthday parties has negatively impacted their child's mental health.
And 63 percent of parents have sought a therapist for themselves, children, or family.
“We must take care of ourselves to take care of them. It is okay to put yourself first, so that you are fresh and fueled to be there for those that need you.”
As we approach a new school year, our children are experiencing many emotions including the excitement of new adventures and new friends, but also, there may be emotions around school shootings, COVID, and our overall societal climate.
While we are all shaken by these events, we must teach our children how to maneuver their emotions around their environment. With that in mind, I’d like to share a few tips to get your mind churning on how you can nurture your child's mental health.
Tip #1 - We are the examples
Children learn more from what we do than what we say. What example are you setting for your children to learn to manage their emotions? How are you managing your mental health?
Tip #2 - Take inventory of YOUR life
We all need safety, love and belonging, and purpose. If you lack in those areas, it limits your bandwidth to be there for your children. Ask yourself, do I feel safe? Are my basic needs met, or am I worried about paying the bills, keeping the roof over our head, etc. Next, do you have meaningful relationships and communities where you feel loved and supported? Last, what are your goals? What are you striving for in life? What are you destined to do with your life? Are you doing it?
Tip#3 - Know signs/symptoms of mental health challenges
Some indications that your child may be struggling mentally may be:
· Thinking:
o More negative thoughts and responses
o Difficulty staying focused and completing tasks
o Changes in school and home performance
· Emotionally:
o Angry, sad, irritable, worried, guilty, fearful
o Endorses helplessness, hopelessness, isolation, or rejection
· Behavior:
o Sleeping in more, low energy or motivation, not pleased with things that used to please them
o Withdrawing and not participating in usual activities
o Crying easily
o Trouble relaxing
o Trouble sleeping
o Immature behavior
o Difficulty getting along with friends
· Physically:
o No appetite
o Headaches, stomach aches, body aches, and pains
o Nervous habits or too much energy
Keep in mind that because you see these symptoms it does not automatically mean mental illness. The first step is to see your primary doctor, get an examination, and go from there.
When it comes to our children's mental health, they rely on us to educate and guide them through our words and actions. We must take care of ourselves to take care of them. It is okay to put yourself first, so that you are fresh and fueled to be there for those that need you.
Dr. Tiffany M. Smith is an Integrative and Functional Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and owner of Aroma Functional Nutrition Psychiatry. She leads her patients to total wellbeing through a holistic and natural approach to mental health care.
