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You might be the best parent to your children, but they tend to open up less as they grow up. This can be challenging and scary for parents. With social media becoming an essential part of all our lives, the impact it has on our mental health is quite immense. With the current situation, schools and colleges are conducting online classes, which increases screen time among kids. Teenagers spend hours on social media, and studies show that using social media more than 3 hours a day can adversely affect your child’s mental health (1). Poor mental health and well being is one of the highest causes of suicide among teens. The stress of being a teen, failures, rejections, heartbreaks, and family trauma may add to their pressure making it difficult to cope. Therefore, as parents, here are a few things you can do to support your child while they navigate through stressful times:
1. Be There And Be Present With Your Child
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Your child might be having a bad day, or it could be something more if they have been in a withdrawn state for a while. Pay attention to their behavior because they might not ask for help even if they need it. It’s hard to be a teenager, with the hormones, peer pressure, bullying, and dire need to fit in. Therefore, show your kids you care and will support them, so they feel comfortable to open up to you.
2. Listen To Your Child Even When They Aren’t Speaking
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Teenagers who are suffering from mental illness tend to retreat into themselves. They might not ask you or anyone for help out loud, but secretly they scream and cry for it. Therefore, observe what your child is up to. Notice their daily behaviors. Do they have a healthy sleep pattern? Are they eating properly? Do they hang out with their friends? If you notice a negative pattern for a long time, please ensure that you seek professional help.
3. Never Shun Their Cry For Help
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Some parents brush off their kids’ statements when they say “I want to die” or “I don’t care anymore” because they believe that their kid is being a typical melodramatic teenager. But these statements or other such threats should never be ignored. They could be a cry for help. Your child is most likely displaying warning signs by writing about death, withdrawing from social contact, self-isolating, or using increased amounts of alcohol and drugs (2). Therefore, talk to your child and ask them about what’s troubling them. Listen without dismissing their problems.
4. Do Not Hesitate To Seek Professional Help
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If your child’s behavior shows signs concerning to you, seek medical help without delay. You don’t have to wait to consult your pediatrician and can directly contact a medical health professional.
5. Talk About Feelings
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Most of us just want to be heard! Just like we feel sad, angry, and anxious in our lives, our kids do too. But hiding those emotions away makes them feel alone. Instead, let your kids know that you feel sad and depressed too. Normalize sadness so your kids don’t feel like something might be wrong with them. Kids find it difficult to share their feelings because they might not fully understand them. They might also be afraid that they will be made fun of or bullied if they show emotion. Therefore, reassure your child that it’s human nature to feel sad and anxious, so they don’t feel alone.
It is important to take care of one’s mental health, be it kids or adults. As parents, we have to be aware of our kids’ behavioral patterns so that we can be their strength and support. Kids are sensitive and might find life hard, but if they have their parents in their corner, they might not be afraid to face the world. Share this article with your loved ones to help them help their kids.
