Contents
It can be difficult to bring up the topic of mental health with your parents, but it’s important to do so if you’re struggling. Here are some tips on how to approach the conversation.
Checkout this video:
Introduction
As a society, we are becoming more open about mental health and its importance. This is a great step forward, but it can still be difficult to talk about mental health with our loved ones – especially our parents. If you’re struggling to have this conversation, here are some tips that may help.
Why is it important to talk about mental health?
Mental health is an important part of overall health for children and adolescents. Early identification and treatment of mental health problems can make a big difference.
Mental health problems can take many different forms, and no single cause has been identified. However, there are risk factors that can make it more likely for a child or adolescent to develop a mental health problem. These include:
– Genetics: Mental health problems tend to run in families, so children with parents or other relatives who have had mental health problems may be at higher risk.
– Brain chemistry: Mental health problems may be associated with changes in the levels of chemicals in the brain that help regulate mood and thinking.
– Exposure to traumatic events: Children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or other traumatic events are at increased risk for developing mental health problems.
– Poor physical health: Children with chronic medical conditions are at increased risk for developingmental mental health problems.
– Having few coping skills or social support systems :Children who lack the ability to cope with stress or don’t have strong social support systems are more likely to develop mental health problems.
How to start the conversation
It can be difficult to know how to start the conversation about mental health with parents. You might be worried about how they will react, or what they will think.
There are a few things you can do to make the conversation go more smoothly:
– Choose a good time to talk. Try to pick a time when both you and your parent(s) are relaxed and not rushed.
– Be prepared. Think about what you want to say ahead of time. This can help you stay on track during the conversation.
– Be honest. Tell your parent(s) how you’re feeling, and why you’re worried. They might be more understanding than you think.
– Ask questions. If you’re not sure how your parent(s) feel about mental health, ask them directly. This can help open up the conversation more.
Once you’ve started the conversation, try to keep an open mind and listen to what your parent(s) have to say. They might have their own thoughts and experiences with mental health that can help you understand their perspective better.
What to say
It can be difficult to bring up mental health with parents, but it is important to have an open and honest conversation. Here are some tips on what you can say:
“I’ve been feeling really stressed/anxious/depressed lately and I wanted to talk to you about it.”
“I’ve been having a lot of negative thoughts and my mood has been really off.”
“I’m not really sure what’s going on, but I know that I haven’t been feeling like myself.”
It’s also important to be prepared for questions or reactions that your parents might have. They might not be aware of how serious your mental health issue is, or they might not know how to best support you. Be patient and understanding, and try to have a plan in place for how you will get the help and support that you need.
How to listen
It can be difficult to know how to approach the topic of mental health with your parents. You may worry about how they will react, or feel like you are disappointing them in some way. However, it is important to remember that your parents want what is best for you and they will likely be open to helping you if they can.
There are a few things you can do to make the conversation go more smoothly:
-Find a time when both of you are relaxed and have some time to talk. This might not be possible if your relationship with your parents is already strained. In this case, it might be best to speak with a professional first who can help you prepare for the conversation.
-Approach the topic indirectly at first. You might want to start by asking general questions about how they coped with stress when they were your age. This can help open up the conversation without making it feel like an interrogation.
-Be honest about how you are feeling. It can be tempting to downplay your symptoms or make excuses, but this will only make it harder for your parents to understand what you are going through.
-Avoid blaming yourself or getting defensive. It is important that your parents understand that this is not your fault and that you are not looking for their approval or permission.
-Be patient and understanding if they need time to process what you have told them. It is possible that they will need some time to adjust to the idea that their child is struggling with mental health issues.
What not to say
It can be difficult to broach the topic of mental health with your parents, especially if you think they might not be supportive. You might be worried about saying the wrong thing or making them upset. However, it’s important to remember that your parents love you and want what’s best for you. They will likely be understanding and receptive if you approach the conversation with care.
That being said, there are some things you should avoid saying when talking to your parents about mental health. Here are a few examples:
-“I’m sorry for being a burden.”
-“I know you’re disappointed in me.”
-“I feel like such a failure.”
-“I know I’m not good enough.”
-“I hate myself for this.”
These statements put the blame on yourself and reinforce negative self-talk. They also make it seem like you think your parents will judge or reject you if they know how you feel. Instead of focusing on what not to say, try to frame the conversation in a way that shows you are taking responsibility for your mental health and are seeking help because you want to improve.
What if they don’t want to talk?
You might be worried about how your parents will react if you bring up mental health with them. It’s important to remember that they love you and want what’s best for you. They might not be used to talking about mental health, but they will want to help you if they can.
If you’re not sure whether your parents are ready to talk about mental health, you can try bringing up a related topic, like stress or anxiety. You could say that you’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately and would like some advice on how to deal with it. If they don’t want to talk about it, that’s OK. You can try again another time or look for support from someone else, like a friend or a counselor.
Where to go for help
If you’re struggling with your mental health, it’s important to reach out for help. Here are some places you can go for support:
-Your GP: Your GP is a great place to start if you’re feeling struggling. They can talk to you about your symptoms and may be able to give you medication or refer you for talking therapy.
-Counselling services: There are many different counselling services available, such as the Samaritans, which offer free support.
-Charities: There are many charities that offer support for specific mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression.
-Helplines: Helplines can be a great way to get support if you’re feeling struggling. Some helplines are open 24/7, such as the Samaritans’ helpline on 116 123.
