Good afternoon everyone!
Have you ever wondered how you can help support your child’s Mental Health? Would you like to find out more about how to transform your home into a positive wellbeing environment? Well, look no further, as today’s guest blog is the one for you!
Hello & Welcome to Sweeney’s Blogs!
I am delighted to announce that we have a guest blog here on the page for you all today, written by Jennifer McGregor! The post takes a look at Mental Health, specifically in children, and how you can help support & aid your child’s Mental Wellbeing.
So, without further ado, here is Jennifer McGregor with “Supporting Your Children’s Mental Health: A Checklist for Parents”
Introduction
Mental Health matters so much. That goes for adults and children. Still, it can be very difficult to know how to protect your child’s emotional wellbeing if you’re a parent. After all, managing your own mental health can also be a challenge as it is.
We’ve put together this checklist to guide you to help your children, and even your whole family.
A Calming and Comfortable Home
Home should provide a sanctuary from stress and the outside world. Sometimes, though, negative energy can build up in your home without you even knowing it. Seemingly trivial things like clutter and stale air can be sources of residual stress for children. These elements can also cause you to feel tense, which can lead to conflict and disagreements.
You can provide a safer space for your family by clearing out clutter and keeping things tidy. If possible, open a window or two to let fresh air in regularly. It can also be beneficial to create dedicated calming areas for your kids at home. Pick a corner and place a comfortable cushion and some good books, so little ones can have some quiet time.
Support From Social Connections
In addition to a calming home, your children also need strong social connections to feel stable and grounded. Feelings of isolation are closely connected to instances of depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation in both children and adults, so look for ways to nurture outside relationships with extended family members and friends.
You may be surprised to learn that playing video games can actually foster social connections. There are all types of games your child can play—many of them educational. To create a smoother and more enjoyable game-playing experience for your child, make sure you have an internet connection that can support online gaming.
Plenty of Time to Play and Be Creative
It’s normal to want your kids to learn and develop skills, but keep in mind that play is also important for their mental well-being. In fact, play is outlined as a basic human right by the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child. When children play freely, they learn and pick up skills that will help them later in life. Without play, mental health can suffer.
If your children seem stressed or anxious, being creative can also improve emotional well-being. Art therapy can be a powerful Mental Health tool for people of all ages. It is especially helpful for children who may need to process trauma and difficult emotions.
Comfort With Uncomfortable Feelings
If you want your child to be able to manage his/her mental health in adulthood, you need to let them experience a broad range of emotions, even negative ones — although you should also be careful to avoid labelling feelings as either positive or negative. Encourage your children to name their feelings and get creative with these names. Movies can provide wonderful context for these discussions.
Having these conversations will help normalize mental health for your family, which is also so very critical to helping your children cope in the future. Unfortunately, Mental Health can still be heavily stigmatized in our society, however, you can help give your children the tools & knowledge needed to help break through this stigma, and for them to know how to prioritize their Mental Health & wellbeing.
Conclusion
Just like their physical health, your children’s Mental Health matters so much. By giving them the tools they need to grow their emotional intelligence and prioritize their mental wellbeing, you are providing them with the essentials they need to thrive now and in the future. Be sure to give yourself these basics, as well, and model good Mental Health management for your children.
Thank you all for reading today’s blog, what do you think? What do you do to help manage your Mental Health in your day to day life? How do you support others with their Mental Health & Wellbeing?
Be sure to let us know your thoughts & answers to the above questions, either in the comments below or through our Facebook page!
Before I finish up today’s blog, I just want to say a massive thank you to Jennifer, for doing an excellent job!!
Thank you all for reading & I hope you have a lovely weekend!
James Sweeney
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