How to Support Your Child’s Mental Health (during this time)

Right along with being healthy physically, good mental health is essential to lead a happy life. And living through a pandemic is not a comfortable situation for your mental health. Along with taking care of ourselves, we also need to look out for our children. We have come with some suggestions that you could use to support your child’s mental health during these times.

Talk to them

Communication can help you more than you understand. Talk to your children daily. Ask them what emotions they are feeling and try to work on them. Suppose they tell you they are bored then plan some fun activities with them. If they are feeling lonely, try doing more things with them, let them have a video call with their friends or play online games with their friends. 

Be on the lookout

This time might require you to be more observant than usual. Try to be extra conscious of changes in your child’s behaviour; try to assess their mood, or if something is bothering them. As children, they might develop irrational fears related to the disease and its treatment. They might not always be forthcoming in talking to you or expressing themselves, so you’ll have to figure it out by their behaviour

Set a routine 

Following a schedule can prove to be very helpful. It helps to create a sense of purpose and gives your children something to look forward to. A balanced routine that includes time for homework, as well as fun activities like movie night or board games, will keep your children in a good mood. 

Filter their information intake

With all the time being spent at home, screen time, as well as information intake, is bound to increase. But too much information about Covid-19 or any negative news might cause distress and anxiety in the children. So, try to make an effort on your part to keep them away from too much negative information. And more focused on positive things.

First, take care of yourself

We know as parents, you try to do it all. But even you are prone to anxiety and also your mental health is essential. If you are not in a good mental space, it would be next to impossible to provide the same for your children. So, work on your mental health that way, you can take care of children’s mental health. 

Stay in touch with others 

Spending quality time as a family, having your movie nights and games sessions is important but so is interacting with other people. Your children need to interact with other people just as much as they need to talk to you. Set up video calls with your relatives and your children’s friends. Let this makeup for the actual gatherings and socializing your children are missing out on.

Remember you could always ask for help 

Day in and day out you are giving in your best for your children. But sometimes you might need some extra help. And this help is available in the form of school counsellors and private practitioners. Don’t hesitate in reaching out to them. Every child is different and unique; they respond to the same situation differently. If your child needs outside help, get it for their good mental health.  

A healthy mind is home to a ‘healthy YOU. We as parents should always look out for our children and must know what is that they feel or are they hurt or is something bothering them, etc. Listen to them, to their issues, to their concerns and understand what solution fits best and how can they feel better about themselves. These small steps go a long way. In these difficult times, let us come together for our children so that they are not left feeling anxious.