Children with mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, etc. need support from their parents to get through things like school, nursery, homework, etc.
To support your child there are many things you can do to help them. It’s important to learn as soon as you have the diagnosis of their mental illness, how you can support them for their future to look brighter. They may need help learning how to manage their feelings, learn to focus, or extra support to get them through school. Here we will talk about how you can support them.
Getting the diagnosis
If you see signs of mental illness in your child, getting a diagnosis immediately is important. Before going into the diagnosis, here are some signs to look out for first before deciding if they need to be diagnosed or not.
- Start to have trouble sleeping or sleep more than usual
- Trouble concentrating
- Will interact less with friends and family
- Try to avoid going to social areas like school or work
- Suddenly start to eat less or overeat
- Become indecisive
- Become fatigued or lethargic
- You may find huge changes in their weight
- Seem unable to relax
- Sudden aggression towards family or people in school
- May talk about being guilty or how they’re not good enough etc.
- Self-harm or start taking drugs
- Have thoughts of suicide or thoughts of self-harming themselves
Looking at these signs, it may seem scary so it is extremely important to get the diagnosis right away. You can call up your child’s GP and get them an appointment. It may not be easy if your child is in their teen years, as they could become less cooperative and lie about being ok but if you do see these signs you should get them seen immediately. Try to encourage them, don’t force them. Maybe offer them to go for a meal after if they’re honest, or take them out to the park. Show them you are there for them.
Types of support per age group
Each year group may need different support because the older they are the more understanding they become. Plus, it helps them to understand themselves and control their emotions and be more open with you if you show them this support consistently.
Toddlers (age 2-5)
For toddler years, it’s unlikely they will develop a mental illness like anxiety or depression but they can develop things like ADHD or anger problems. There are ways to make it easy for yourself and for the toddler and since they aren’t at the age where they can truly control their feelings it’s important to give them the support they need.
- Give them activities that are calming but also help them engage with others in a nice way
- Positive reinforcement (negative reinforcement will always trigger a negative reaction or behaviors)
- Work 1 on 1 with them away from other kids in the household
- Do tasks with them to keep their mind busy (help with cooking, cleaning, maybe make them draw or sit with them to play games)
- Try to remain calm around them
- Always do your research and ask for help when you need it – a lot of people may need help and that’s why it’s important to take the time to ask questions and to give yourself knowledge.
- Be patient with them as they are too young to understand
Kids (age 5-13)
Kids around this age become more aware and knowledgeable and if you worked with them before it may be easier to understand their diagnosis and how to deal with it.
- Do encourage tasks with them
- Make homework fun when you help them
- Help them practice their focus
- Research their diagnosis and teach them early
- Give them tasks that will help them keep calm
- Always use positive reinforcement to trigger positive reactions and behaviors
- Try to talk to them calmly, they are still young and learning
- Talk to their schools and make them aware so they can get help in school
- Try to work together as a team
- Treat them equal to the other kids of the household
- Make the other children knowledgeable so they can have an understanding therefore it’s easier for all of your children when they are together
- Be patient with them
Teenagers (age 13-21)
Teenagers can be more difficult and somehow easier. I say this because it’s at this age where they do understand everything and that’s why it’s extremely important that you show them care and support at this time. Puberty could make it hard for them to control their emotions too because they already are going through emotional changes at the same time.
- Research together
- Go with them anywhere when they ask you to
- Talk with them when they seem to show signs of emotional breakdowns
- Be there shoulder to cry on
- Talk to them and take them to the doctors when they need
- Do not be too overprotective, they will feel locked in a prison
- Try to treat them normally and offer them help with things
- Support them in school by talking to their teachers
- Make their school aware
- If they show signs of depression or anxiety take the time to sit with them and see why they’re feeling this way
- Be calm but also stern when needed
- Try not to get angry at them
- Go with them to counseling or therapy
- Show them you trust them
- Give them chores that are not too much to handle but also keep their mind calm
- Help them with homework or school work if they need it
- Help them prepare for their future as this can cause stress when they think about it or anxiety
- Be patient with them when its needed
Conclusion
Support depends on the age group of the child obviously but it’s always important to give them the support they need. It helps you to have a strong bond with your child because you are showing them that you are there for them and you have the patience to handle what they’re going through. You show them you have researched their mental illness and are willing to be by their side. Doing all of this, helps you and the child to grow a good understanding and can also help to grow an inseparable bond. They won’t feel the need to separate themself from you and can help them to feel good to talk to you!
