The mental health crisis among children and teens: How parents can help
In the fall of 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics along with the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Children’s Hospital Association declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health.
As a parent you play a major role in your child’s mental health. Although sometimes it is difficult to identify the negative feelings your child is experiencing, as a parent you bear responsibility to guide your child through life. Here are some ways you can do so.
Firstly, realize that mental health is just as important as physical health and emphasize this in your household. For example, just as you would react to a cough or a runny nose, you must address feelings of sadness or stress. Not only for your child but also for yourself.
In addition, make yourself someone your child can talk to. Be judgment free, offer advice and encouragement. Involve yourself in your child’s life by communicating with teachers, coaches, and other key figures in your child’s life. This way you can understand what your kids are going through even when they aren’t at home.