Most of us know that October is for Breast Cancer, and April is for Autism Awareness. But did you know that Children's Mental Health Awareness Month is in May?
Why does children's mental health need its own month?
1 in 6 U.S. children between the ages of 6 and 17 experience a mental illness each year.*
50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14. 75% beg
ins by age 24.*
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 14*
These are staggering statistics. And they are even more staggering when you take in to account that these numbers only reflect the children that are receiving treatment for their illnesses.
The last few years have held unprecedented amounts of stress for our kids. The Pandemic and global recession have increased stress for parents and caregivers and that stress trickles down. Even when kids don't know what they are stressed about, they know something is up.
To put things in perspective, this years 2nd graders missed out on traditional Kindergarten and First Grade. They entered 2nd grade not having any idea how to sit on a carpet with their peers for reading time, how to navigate where to sit in the lunch room or how to line up to go down to gym class. They entered 2nd grade not having any experience making friends or navigating social situations. Imagine how much anxiety and confusion these kids are experiencing having to yet again readjust to big changes.
Now more than ever it is vital that we pay attention to children's mental health. Children are re
silient, but they need support. Here are some great ways to support the kids in your life:
Acknowledge that they probably know more than you think they do/want them to. Kids are super observant. If you are in a good mood, they know it. If you are in a bad mood, they know it. If you are stressed, they know it. Keeping everything a secret can cause more stress because humans naturally fear what they don't know about. This doesn't mean tell your kids everything that is going on in your life, but its good to have a measure of honesty with them because it helps them learn to trust you. Make sure to keep it age appropriate.
Talk about feelings. Normalize talking about feelings in your house. Let your kids know that it is okay to have feelings and it is okay to express them. Model this for them by talking about your own feelings. Make sure everyone knows that its not anyone's job to "fix" feelings for others. Its okay to just listen and be there.
Avoid Assumptions. A lot of times parents think that kids are just being "difficult" when things aren't going well. Maybe your kid's grades are slipping, or they are
spending a ton of time in their room napping, or they can't seem to sit still. These can all be signs of a adolescence, but they can also be signs that mental illness is brewing. Check in with your kids to see what the root cause of their behavior is.
Spend time together. The single most protective factor for a child is a grown up that cares about them. Spend time doing things together that your kid enjoys. Talk with them about what interests them. You might get some eye rolls to start, but if you genuinely make an effort to spend time doing things that they enjoy, they will notice and likely start looking forward to it. If you pay attention and are engaged when your kids talk to you about the "little" stuff, they are more likely to come to you to talk about the "big" stuff.
Take care of your own mental health. As a parent/caregiver it is vital that you care for your own mental health. Have you ever heard the phrase "you can't pour from an empty cup?" Its true. By caring for your own mental health by going to therapy, using positive coping skills, and practicing self care you are setting an example for your kid t
hat it is okay for them to take care of themselves. You are also setting yourself to better be able to care for them and their needs.
To celebrate Children's Mental Health Month this year, take some of these steps to improve the mental health of the children in your life.
An
d as always, if you need additional supports or services you can contact Three Circles Therapy Services, PLLC here.
*Statistics courtesy of NAMI
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