Guide for Talking to Kids About Mental Health
A fact of child-rearing that many parents, guardians, teachers, siblings, and extended family members will have to face is the very real fact that children, just like adults, can experience mental health issues. For this reason, it is very important to understand why talking to kids about mental illness is important and how to explain mental health to a child. To make the process easier, Counseling of Southwest Florida, providers of excellent group, family, and individual counseling in Naples, FL, have created this quick guide to help those looking to learn more about this important aspect of raising a child.
The Importance of Explaining Mental Health to a Child
Before talking to kids about mental illness, it is important to fully understand the importance of the conversations to be had to ensure that it is not only tackled in a serious and caring way but thoroughly. Actions such as explaining depression to a child are important for a few reasons. The main reason is that if they are experiencing it themselves, they will better understand that it is an issue that they are not experiencing alone. Childhood is a confusing and difficult time regardless of the state of a child’s mental health. Tackling the issue in a serious and mature way will not only help the child understand themselves better but can also be a great way to become closer to the child and make the relationship healthier in the long run.
How to Explain Mental Illness to a Child
The importance of mental health conversations with children cannot be overlooked, but how should somebody go about talking to kids about mental illness without confusing children or making them feel misunderstood? Nowadays, there are plenty of resources to deal with both children experiencing mental health issues and those who do not. Children with no mental health issues to note should still be educated on the subject through methods such as conversations revolving around the subject or through the use of materials such as a mental health children’s book. These books can keep the understanding at a level appropriate for them without imposing the idea that you believe they have an issue. Should mental health issues arise later in life in themselves or those they care about, they will be better geared to deal with them in a mature manner.
If your child is experiencing mental health issues and you wish to improve them properly, then there are two different avenues to explore. Each could prove to be a better solution for different individuals. Having a mature one-on-one conversation is a great way to deal with mental health issues that you have the proper experience in analyzing or have previously or are currently dealing with yourself. The avenue of seeking professional assistance is always open and could always be explored depending on the state of your child’s mental health issues.
Contact Our Southwest Florida Counseling Center
If you have already tried talking to kids about mental health but have found it to be either ineffective or you simply wish to have more trained experts on the case, be sure to reach out to Counseling of Southwest Florida. Our team of experts is ready to help your child grow through our professional counseling services that have been geared over years of experience. Be sure to read some of our other blog articles to learn more about mental health, addiction, and the benefits of counseling.
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Casey is the founder and CEO of Portner Counseling Group (PCG), a counseling center in the Fort Lauderdale area, which specializes with issues related to drug and alcohol use. Casey has completed focused course work on the physiological aspects of drug addiction and human psychology, as well as received extensive training on the treatment of co-occurring disorders.