September sees the start of a new school term. For many children and young people this means a return to a new school year. This might be familiar to them, as they may be returning to the same school or college but for others, it will bring new excitement and challenges as they start at a new school or college.
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When people around us, whether it be loved ones or a colleague at work, suffer mental ill health or poor wellbeing it can be distressing. This is because you are worried about them and maybe unsure how to help.
Background
International Fathers’ Mental Health Day is a relatively new concept and was co-founded in 2016 by Mark Williams (UK) and Dr Daniel Singley (USA)
April 30 /
Wellbeing
Stress Awareness Month, April 2024 – Positive V Negative Stress – Managing Stress Effectively
What is Stress?
Stress can lurk in all aspects of our lives whether that be in response to personal or professional pressures, or sometimes a combination of both
What is Resilience?
Being resilient means adapting and bouncing back when something difficult happens (Miles, 2022)
Parental Mental Health and Managing Family Stress
Being a parent brings a lot of challenges and for parents that have a mental health problem, these challenges can be exacerbated
On this day, we think about the women, in this country and throughout the world, who are not free to make their own decisions and who live in fear and conflict.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
The Children’s Society (2024) reports that:
- 1 in 6 children aged 5-16 are likely to have a mental health problem.
- 17 to 23 year old women are the most at risk group of developing a mental health problem.
SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING
There are various things parents and carers can do to support their children.
The NHS recommends:
- Listening – regularly ask them how they are.
- Supporting them through any difficulties by working through feelings and experiences.
- Encouraging their interests. What makes them happy?
- Staying involved in their lives by showing an interest in what’s important to them.
- Taking what they say seriously by understanding and validating their emotions.
- Building positive routines around healthy habits, sleep, and exercise.
Talking about mental health with children can be difficult but it is important to:
- Encourage them to speak with you or another trusted adult.
- Create an open, safe, and comfortable environment.
- Use the right language.
RECOGNISING
The NSPCC state that common warning signs of mental health issues are:
- sudden mood and behaviour changes
- self-harming
- unexplained physical changes, such as weight loss or gain
- sudden poor academic behaviour or performance
- sleeping problems
- changes in social habits, such as withdrawal or avoidance of friends and family.
RESPONDING
Looking after your own mental health and wellbeing is one of the best ways to support your children. This is because you are presenting the best version of yourself. However, it isn’t always straightforward as there are different issues you may be experiencing such as stress at work, financial worries, or relationship breakdown. We recognise that caring for a child can be tough at times, so it is vital that you are aware of what help is out there both for you, and your child. A good source of information is Young Minds, who not only support children/young people but also provide information, advice and support to parents and carers (with a child/young person aged 25 or under).
You can speak to them over the phone or online. You will speak to a trained advisor, who will ask questions about the child/young person you are calling about. They will then:
- Listen to your concerns and offer emotional support.
- Provide practical advice about what to do next.
- Follow up with you by email, providing you with resources and services that may be able to help.
- Keep your call confidential.
Key points:
- Look after yourself.
- Ask children how they are – take on board their feelings and any concerns.
- Look out for changes in behaviour, appearance, or interests.
- Encourage healthy habits and structure, e.g. regular exercise.
- Participate in activities together.
References
Time to Talk Day emphasises the importance of communicating with friends and family and in some circumstances, with professionals
We see January as a great opportunity to develop healthy habits, whether that means trying something new or building on existing skills or routines
