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Talking to children about mental health is crucial for nurturing their well-being. However, it seems to be a topic that many parents avoid.

Mental health in children includes emotional growth, social skills and being able to handle challenges. Mental disorders in children disrupt usual behaviors and emotions, impacting daily life. While occasional worries are normal, persistent symptoms affecting school or home life might signal a disorder. 

But it is important to note that good mental health is not solely the absence of a disorder -- it goes beyond that. Even without a diagnosis, children may vary in coping and development. Conversations about mental health empower children to comprehend their emotions and seek support if needed. This helps foster resilience and a good quality of life later on as they grow up. Here are some ways to talk to children about mental health.

Validate their emotions

Acknowledge and validate children's emotions by recognizing their feelings and understanding their perspective without an explanation. Show empathy by communicating understanding and separating their emotion from their reaction. Empathy is crucial even when a child's expression of emotions is challenging. Encourage them to express their feelings and ask what might make them feel better. This approach fosters emotional understanding and resilience in children.

Find inspiration in what they know

Engage kids in mental health talks using their interests, like their favorite shows and movies, as a starting point. Connect the themes or characters in their shows to emotions or situations, making mental health discussions relatable and easier for them to understand.

Talk about your own mental health

Child and adolescent psychiatrist Eli Lebowitz explains that when parents share experiences involving mental health struggles with their children, they are letting their children know that it is normal to acknowledge negative feelings. By being consistently open about mental health, parents can become models of behavior.