Starting conversations about mental health
Talking to your child about mental health may seem difficult, but it is an important part of parenting.
Know that you don’t need to have all the answers to start the conversation. What’s most important is you and your child feel comfortable and open. You can start the conversation as gently as you need.
You’re also not alone. Reach out for support from family, friends or trained mental health professionals. They are there to help support your child.
There is no perfect way to start a conversation with your child. Try some simple questions like:
- ‘How are you feeling about game/exams/school?’
- ‘You haven’t been yourself lately; how are things?’
- ‘It’s OK if you're not ready to talk right now. Know I’m here for you when you are ready and we can work it out together.’
Regular conversations with your child will not only help you understand how they’re feeling, it also teaches them to recognise their emotions and talk about them. Starting these conversations from an early age makes it easier to keep the conversation going as they get older.
Tips for starting the conversation:
Keep the conversation open
The more often you talk about feelings, the more normal it becomes. If concerns aren’t urgent or your child isn’t ready, that’s okay- try again in a day or two.
Create a safe and supportive home environment
Home is a safe space for children. Create a positive mental health environment by:
- acknowledging their feelings
- listening to concerns
- providing engaging activities and conversation
- praising your child’s efforts and strengths.
As a parent, try to be available for your child, but don’t push too hard.
Pick the right time, space and place
Choose a moment when you and your child are both relaxed and have some time to talk. Check if they feel comfortable too.
This could be in the home, during a walk or car ride. The goal is for your both to feel comfortable.
Manage your own feelings and response
Big emotional responses, like shock or anger, can make a child less likely to open up about their thoughts and feelings.
Practice responding calmly to your child, even though sometimes it can be hard to hear. See Mental Health in Australia for more tips on coping strategies and support.
Remind them- emotions are a part of life
Emotions are a natural part of being human. Let your child know it’s normal to feel sad, worried or angry at times.
Mental health moves along a continuum over time. If they’ve been feeling low for a while, it may be time to have further conversations or check in with a health professional for more support.
Help them understand their emotions
From a young age, you can help your child name their feeling.
When they recognise and name their emotions, they get better at responding to them. Understanding the cause and impact of emotions is something we can all work on.
See Emerging topics for more information on Emotional Intelligence (EQ).
Remember, you don’t have to be an expert on the topic to support your child. If you’re unsure how to answer something, let them know you’ll look into it and talk again soon. This is a great way to keep the conversation going and not be overwhelmed as a parent.