Support children with loved ones facing mental health issues
Children and teens with a family member who has a mental health problem can feel worried, confused, sad, or angry. These feelings are normal.
Kids need to know what is happening. They also need to know they are not alone. Talking with someone they trust can help.
Here are some simple ways to help children and teens when someone they love has a mental health problem.
Be calm, present and available:
Make sure you are emotionally available to welcome what your young person will have to share with you.
Find ways to refocus and regulate the emotions you are feeling before starting the discussion.
Put words to what is happening:
Listen to what he shares without judgment:
Everyone reacts differently to hard times. Try not to judge your child's feelings or thoughts, even if they are different from yours. Listening and understanding can help your child feel better and stronger when facing problems.
Help distinguish the mental health disorder from the loved one's personality:
Remember that your loved one is more than their mental health problem. They have their own personality, values, and beliefs. The illness is just something that affects how they feel and see the world. It doesn't define who they are.
Normalize and validate the emotions you feel
Young people with a loved one who has a mental health problem often feel guilt, fear, sadness, or anger. These feelings are normal and okay to have.
When kids know it’s okay to feel this way, they don’t feel as much shame or loneliness. They also feel less alone.
Value respect
It's important to show respect for yourself, for others, and for your loved one who is having a hard time. Calling names or judging someone for how they think, feel, or act doesn’t help.
You can still tell people how you feel and set rules, but do it kindly and respectfully.
Focus on your interests and exploit your strengths:
When someone in your family is sad, angry, or wants to be alone, your child might feel less confident.
Doing things your child enjoys can help them feel special.
Spending time together creates happy moments, especially when times are tough.
Jointly seek adaptation strategies:
Working together to find ways to solve problems can help everyone in the family. It also shows your child that it’s okay to need support and use helpful tools.
If you are ever worried about your child’s well-being or feel you can’t help enough, it’s always okay to ask for extra help.