How to Nurture Your Child’s Mental Health

Your child goes on a playdate and comes back with a scrape on their knee. Of course, they are aware of the fact that it’s an injury and it needs to be treated. But, what if they have a mental illness? Are they aware that it is something that needs to be treated, the same as an injury? If the answer is no, being a parent, has that ever bothered you?

I imagine you all taking a long pause as you recall the last time you took some time out of your busy schedule to have a heart-to-heart conversation with your children about their feelings and emotions. If it was aeons ago, it’s high time you think about the involvement you have in your child’s mental well-being.

Why Is Talking About Mental Health Important?

We instil in our children the value of physical fitness. Isn’t it also significant in terms of mental health? In the long run, as they grow up, there will be times when we, as parents, will not be able to act as an anchor for their lives. And, situations would come where they will have to deal with their own problems in the long haul of life.

We may not be able to shield our kids from the dangers of the outside world, but we can teach them how to look after their mental health and regulate their emotions on their own. That’s why it’s essential to teach your children about the importance of mental health right from a young age.

In this blog, let’s talk about how we can educate our kids to develop better mental health practices.

What Is Meant by Mental Health?

The term “mental health” relates to a person’s behaviour patterns. It’s largely about how we deal with our thoughts, feelings, and emotions during the course of our lives. Let your kids understand that mental well-being is just as vital as physical well-being. Tell them it’s the process of taking care of our minds, emotions, and thoughts just like we take care of our bodies. Let them know that if there’s something that’s bothering them mentally, it’s okay. It’s completely normal and can be treated just like any other physical injury.

9 Little Ways to Support Your Child’s Mental Health Practices

  1. Be a good model to your children. Be your best whenever they are around.
  2. Treat your children with respect and ask them to do the same with others.
  3. Build strong emotional relationships with your children. Be their confidante.
  4. Make sure you check in on your child’s emotions and feelings.
  5. Validate their emotions and talk about their thoughts and feelings.
  6. Teach them about the importance of self-love by talking about body positivity.
  7. Indulge in deep conversations and develop self-esteem.
  8. Practise healthy habits; manage screen time and sleep schedules.
  9. Introduce stress relief techniques such as journaling, painting, reading etc.

Every child is unique in his or her own way. Even if they appear to be normal, we never know the battles that they might be fighting inside when it comes to your child’s mental health, it’s critical that you keep an open mind as a parent. If you find any change in the attitude or behavioural patterns of your child, never hesitate to talk to your child’s doctor or mental health professionals.

Educating your children about the importance of mental health is one of the major aspects of your parenting style. But, you should be aware of your child’s needs. If you feel the need to talk to a doctor or mental health professional about your child’s mental health, you should do it without any second thoughts.

There are a lot of hospitals in Abu Dhabi that have got the best doctors specializing in child psychology. Apart from Abu Dhabi, numerous hospitals in the UAE provide mental health services with brilliant doctors from around the world. No matter where you are, you have plenty of options around when it comes to mental health services. All you have to do is find the best choice and treat your child as early as possible if the necessity arises. Because, when it comes to your child’s mental health, acting early always makes a difference.