Helping Your Child Develop Mental Health Awareness
Note: If someone you care about—or even yourself—feels overwhelmed or is struggling with mental health, such as thoughts of suicide or challenges with substance use, please don’t hesitate to seek help. You can visit your nearest emergency room or dial 988 for immediate support. You’re never alone, and help is always available.
As parents, we have such an important role in supporting our children as they learn to understand and manage their emotions. Life is full of big feelings— fear, sadness, joy—that can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. Helping our children recognize and respond to these emotions is a valuable skill that will serve them well for a lifetime. It’s perfectly normal for kids (and grown-ups!) to feel down, worried, or even confused now and then. But if those feelings stick around all day or last for several days, it might be time to reach out for extra support.
Paying attention to early signs, like intense or recurring emotions, can make a big difference. These signs could be telling us it’s time to contact a mental health professional to help guide your family through challenges. Remember, reaching out for help is a strength, not a weakness—and it’s something we can all benefit from.
Building Awareness Together
Supporting mental health doesn’t have to feel serious—it can actually be a joyful and bonding experience for parents and children alike. There are so many creative ways to explore emotions while strengthening self-esteem, encouraging healthy habits, and nurturing open communication. Here are two fun ideas to try together:
*Play emotion charades: This is a wonderful activity where kids can share and explore their feelings without needing words. It’s fun, engaging, and builds empathy and understanding in a lighthearted way. *Create a mood tracker: With colors, stickers, or drawings, you and your child can map out how they’re feeling each day. It’s simple, insightful, and opens the door to meaningful conversations about emotions.
By weaving moments of fun and connection into your family life, you’re giving your child the tools to thrive—not just in tough times but every day. Together, we can foster a sense of emotional wellbeing that lasts a lifetime.
Being mindful of early warning signs, such as intense or recurring emotions, can make a huge difference. These signs can signal the need to connect with a mental health professional who can provide guidance and support.
Parents and children can both increase their understanding of emotions in terms of knowing when you are feeling something important, like fear, sadness or joy, and what you should do about that feeling—if anything.
It is totally normal to feel temporarily depressed, angry, worried or confused— however if these emotions become sustained all day or for several days, then people may want to seek help. Sometimes there are early warning sign of ”problem emotions” that might require further assessment or treatment by a mental health professional.
Make Learning About Emotions Fun
To enhance mental health awareness in children (and parents), there are activities that can be used, which can focus on recognizing and expressing emotions, fostering self-esteem, promoting healthy habits, and encouraging open communication.
Examples include emotion charades, creating mood trackers, and encouraging physical activity like exercise and mindful walking. Additionally, activities like making magical worry boxes or engaging in creative outlets like dance or music can help children explore and manage their feelings.
Understanding and Expressing Emotions: Activities like emotion charades help children identify and express their feelings without words, fostering empathy and understanding. *Act out using your arms, hands, facial expressions and movements, emotions such as anxiety, sadness, anger, hyperactivity, happiness, feeling calm, stress, boredom, etc.
Promoting Self-Esteem: Encouraging children to participate in activities they enjoy, setting realistic goals, and providing praise for effort can boost self-esteem.
Encouraging Healthy Habits: Physical activity, healthy eating, and adequate sleep are crucial for mental well-being. Encouraging these habits can be done through activities like exercise together, mindful walking, and creating a mood tracker.
Fostering Open Communication: Creating a safe and supportive environment where children feel comfortable talking about their feelings is essential. Encouraging teachers and caretakers to play a supportive role, as well as modeling healthy behavior as parents can help foster this.
Creative Outlets: Activities like making magical worry boxes or engaging in dance or music can provide healthy outlets for children to express their feelings and manage stress.
By incorporating these activities into daily life and creating a supportive environment, children can develop a strong foundation for their mental wellbeing and learn valuable skills for managing their emotions throughout life.
Early Warning Signs of Mental Health Problems
Warning signs of mental health problems in kids include significant changes in mood, behavior, and daily routines, such as extreme mood swings, withdrawal, or changes in sleep or eating habits. Also, look for increased aggression, difficulty concentrating, or intense fears that interfere with daily life. Sudden changes in school performance, difficulty fitting in, or risk-taking behaviors can also be indicators.
Some Details About Recognizing Mood and Behavior Changes in Kids/Teens:
Sadness or Withdrawal: If a child is feeling sad, withdrawn, or has lost interest in activities they usually enjoy, it could be a sign of depression or other mood disorders.
Mood Swings: Severe or frequent mood swings that cause problems at home or school can be a sign of a mental health condition,
Aggression: Increased aggression, including fighting, threats, or property destruction, can be a sign of a mental health condition or behavioral problems.
Changes in Sleeping and Eating: Significant changes in sleep patterns, such as not sleeping at all or sleeping too much, or changes in eating habits, including not eating, binging, or losing weight, can be indicators of a mental health issue.
Academic and Social Changes:
Difficulty Concentrating: If a child is having trouble focusing, staying still, or paying attention in class, it could be a sign of a mental health condition.
Changes in School Performance: A sudden drop in grades or behavioral problems at school, leading to suspensions or detentions, can be a sign of a mental health issue.
Difficulty with Social Interactions: Withdrawal from friends, difficulty fitting in, or changes in social behavior can be warning signs. Intense Fears: Overwhelming fears or worries that interfere with daily activities can be a sign of anxiety.
Other Warning Signs: Nightmares Frequent or intense nightmares can be a sign of anxiety or other mental health conditions.
Self-Harm Any behavior that involves self-harm, such as cutting, burning, or other acts of self-injury, is a serious concern and requires immediate attention.
Risky Behaviors Engaging in risky behaviors, such as drug use, running away, or engaging in risky online activities, can be a sign of a mental health problem.
Warning signs that your child may have a mental health disorder include:
Sadness that lasts two or more weeks.
Changes in being social or staying away from others.
Hurting oneself or talking about hurting oneself.
Talking about death or suicide.
Having outbursts or being very moody or testy.
Seek assistance from a mental health professional as needed. Psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurse practitioners, can all help. Call 988 Lifeline for mental health emergencies.