Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health
What is mental health?
In Ohio, schools work to support the whole child. This means that schools care about the academic success and wellbeing of each student. For this reason, schools provide resources to support studentsʼ mental health.
It is important to take care of our minds just like we take care of our bodies. Your child’s mental health is all about how they think and feel. It includes their emotions and behaviors. It can also be about any challenges children may have with learning because of an illness, also known as a learning disability.
You can also view this video about mental health.
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Why is mental health important?
Taking care of our mental health is important because it helps us feel good inside and out. Just like we take care of our bodies by eating healthy food and exercising, we also need to take care of our minds. When we have good mental health, we can think clearly, make good choices, and handle our emotions. It is normal to feel sad or worried sometimes. If those feelings last a long time or start to get in the way of daily life, it is important to talk to someone we trust and get help. For your child, that may be you, your family, a teacher, or a mental health professional.
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What are the benefits of good mental health?
When kids and young adults have good mental health:
- They are more likely to be happy and confident.
- They do well in school and have good relationships with family and friends.
- It can help them handle difficulties, have good physical health, make good friends, and develop a sense of belonging.
- It helps them grow to be successful and happy adults.
Promoting your child’s mental health means getting help when it is needed and giving them the tools and support they need to feel their best.
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How do I know if my child needs help?
Sometimes, children and young adults might have feelings and emotions that can be difficult to handle. If you notice your child is feeling sad or angry for long periods of time, it could mean that they need some help. Changes in behavior, like a lack of interest in activities they used to enjoy or difficulty sleeping, may also be a sign that your child needs help.
It is important to get help if your child's emotions or behaviors are affecting their daily life. Getting help does not mean there is something wrong with your child. It is one way to help them develop healthy ways of handling stress and improve their overall wellbeing. Seek help from a mental health or healthcare professional if you are concerned.
Signs of Mental Health Issues in Young Children
- Irritability: Your child gets angered or bothered easily.
- Crying easily: Your child might cry easily or often. It may be hard to calm them down.
- Anxious behavior: Your child has trouble leaving home or being separated from your family. Your child may also be afraid of others.
- Aggressive behavior: Your child does not listen to you or physically hurts others. If your child starts physically hurting themselves, please seek immediate help.
- Trouble sleeping: Your child has difficulty sleeping, wakes up often at night, or has intense nightmares.
- Bedwetting: Your child wets the bed often even though they know how to use the bathroom.
- Digestion problems: Your child does not want to eat or eats too much. They often experience nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, or constipation.
- Developmental issues: Your child is not reaching important developmental milestones or skills for their age. They may no longer be able to do things they were able to do before.
- Sudden life changes: Be aware of changes interrupting your child’s daily life like change of school, sudden death of a relative, and other examples. Sometimes these changes can trigger mental health issues.
Learn more about the signs on the
Very Well Mind website.
Signs of Mental Health Issues in Teenagers
- Irritability: Your child gets angry or bothered easily.
- Sadness: Your child is often feeling sad, worried, scared, or hopeless.
- Mood changes: Your child's mood changes quickly and often.
For example, your child might go from being happy to becoming sad quickly.
- Withdrawal: Your child stops talking with you. They prefer to be alone. They may also stop seeing their friends or stop talking with them.
- Constant challenges: They have difficulty handling stress or daily tasks.
- Trouble at school: They have difficulty with learning, memory, or concentration.
- Dangerous behavior: Your child behaves in dangerous or unhealthy ways.
For example, your child might drive recklessly or not use safety devices like seat belts. Also, unhealthy behaviors can include smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, or using other controlled substances.
- Unexplained physical issues: Your child has unexplained headaches, stomachaches, or other physical issues.
- Sleep issues: They have trouble sleeping or are sleeping too much. They feel tired or have low energy.
- Weight change or issues with eating: You may notice sudden changes in your child’s weight or their eating habits. Your child might eat all the time or have no appetite.
Other examples include seeing or hearing your child vomiting after eating or finding laxatives in their room.
Learn more about the signs on the Very Well Mind website.
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How do I get help?
If you are worried about your child’s mental health, you can ask your school for help. If you are not sure who to ask, you can start by asking a teacher or another person from the school that you trust. Then, they can help you figure out what to do next.
Usually, there is a specific person at schools who helps families and students with mental health challenges.
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People Who May Help at Your Child’s School
- School Psychologist
- School Nurse
- School Social Worker
- School Counselor
- Mental Health Counselor
- Mental Health Therapist
- The English language teacher, intervention specialist, or any other school staff member you feel comfortable talking to.
These job titles might be different at your child's school. Learn more about who to contact with your concerns about your child's mental health or specific behaviors in our Engaging with Schools section. People who hold these titles above and others can also connect you with helpful community organizations.
You can also look for help from people outside of the school like a therapist, doctor, health professional, community, or religious leaders.
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Questions You Can Ask about Your Child’s Mental Health
- I am worried about my child’s mental health. Who can I ask for help at the school?
- What types of mental health resources are available for my child?
- I am concerned about how my child feels. Who can I talk to?
- What can I do to help my child through mental health challenges?
- Where can I find someone who can help my child that understands my family's background or language?
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What does mental health help look like?
The type of help depends on each person's needs. Some of us may need help with learning how to handle stress or challenges. Others might need help with positive habits like sleep or exercise. Others may need to talk with a therapist or counselor to work through things they are experiencing. At school, this can include talking with a school counselor, school social worker, or school psychologist.
Outside of school, you may connect with a therapist or other mental health provider in the community or in the nearby hospital. They may use specific forms of therapy or medication. Medication may be needed depending on the severity of the matter; do not be afraid to ask for more information.
Medication is sometimes used to promote good mental health. Doctors prescribe medication to balance chemicals in the brain and help people think and feel better. Remember, it is important to only take medication prescribed by a doctor and to talk to them if you have any questions or concerns.
Do not give up on your search, even though it may take longer than expected due to the shortage of qualified providers.
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How do I support my child’s mental health?
Please ask your child about their day at school. Give them encouragement.” – Ohio Teacher
It is not always easy to know about a childʼs mental and emotional needs. Promoting good mental health allows children to think clearly, make friends, and learn new skills. Support and encouraging words from parents, family, and friends are also important.
Things That Promote Good Mental Health
Positive relationships with family members. |
The opportunity to interact with peers. |
Trust and consistency from family. |
Encouraging teachers and supportive adults. |
Conversations that are honest and authentic. |
Safe and secure surroundings. |
Appropriate guidance and discipline.
|
Daily check-ins where children
can share how they are feeling. |
Learn more about helping children have good mental health on the Mental Health America website.
Conversation Tips
- If your child is quiet or does not want to talk, do not take it personally.
- Talk with your child often. Even just a few minutes a day makes a difference!
- Avoid lecturing your child. Encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings.
- Try different ways to talk. Try texting and talking in person or on the phone.
- Let your child choose an activity to do together while you talk.
- Get help from a mental health professional or another adult you trust.
Questions You Can Ask Your Child
- How are you feeling? What is on your mind?
- How is your body feeling? Do you have any headaches or stomachaches?
- Tell me about your friends (in person and online). What is your favorite part of being together?
- How well are you able to pay attention in class?
- Have you ever been bothered by anyone? Have you seen any bullying at your school or online?
- How well are you able to fall asleep? Do you feel rested when you wake up?
What if my child does not want to talk?
It is normal for children to withdraw from their parents sometimes. Remember, there is a lot of support and resources available. Try new ideas or approaches until something works. Look for support and help yourself.
Look for support.
Remember that you are not alone. If you need advice, you can ask other trusted family members, close family friends, or people from the school who also care about your child’s well-being.
Reach out to trusted adults in your teen’s life for help and ask them to communicate any concerns to you. As difficult as it is to see your child in pain, you can take steps to help them.
Help yourself.
As you support your child, remember that you also need help and support. Focusing on your mental health will give your child a positive example to follow.
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Support young children
Here are some suggestions and examples from other Ohio parents.
- Tell your child about your family history and stories that encourage and inspire them.
- Understand that mental health issues are real and that your child’s struggles are authentic. Listen to them and make sure they feel heard.
- Help your child know they belong in the school community.
- Tell about your family's school background – how it may be the same or different from your child.
- Express confidence that your child will succeed and that you are proud of them.
- Talk about school often at home.
- Ask about schoolwork, other kids in class, and about their teacher.
- Celebrate what they are learning.
- Connect with other families from your community.
"We share our weekly goals with each other on Sundays as a family.” – Ohio Parent
- Support your child’s relationship with their teacher.
- Ask your child which teachers or other adults at the school they know. You can ask, “Who is the adult at school that is most special to you?”
- Let teachers know that they are making a difference for your child in school.
- Help your child when they do not feel confident around a teacher.
- Build routines and celebrate your traditions.
- Use household routines that promote structure, responsibility, and fun. For example, sing a silly song while you take out the trash together.
- Share old and new family traditions with your child, using the language of previous generations in ways that strengthen the child’s sense of identity.
- When possible, read to your child or engage in storytelling about your culture.
- Support behaviors that build well-being and success.
“At bedtime, I set up 5-10 minutes time with my kids. Not reading or homework time. Just a simple positive prayer for the day.” – Ohio Parent
- Continue to build strong, healthy relationships at home.
“I am teaching my kids self-praise. If no one is there to do it for them, they can say, “Hey self, you did a great job!” – Ohio Parent
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Support teenagers or young adults
Here are some suggestions and examples from other Ohio parents.
- Help your teenager know they belong in the school community.
“My daughter had a hard time fitting-in at school after COVID... She was really depressed being at home by herself... We talked about what she was feeling. I would turn everything off, the television, the phone, and just listen. “What can I do for you? At home and at school.” – Ohio Parent
- Support their relationship with their teachers.
- Ask your teen which teachers or other adults at school they feel supported by. You can ask, “Who can you talk to if things are tough at school?”
- Experience family and school traditions together.
- Make time to celebrate traditions and family time with your child.
- Teach your child about your family traditions.
- Encourage your child to share with their friends and teachers about traditions that are important to your family or community.
- Educate your teens about how others may respond to their family traditions.
- Remind them to always be proud of their background.
- Support behaviors that build well-being and success.
- Comfort your child and encourage them to share their feelings.
- Work with them to find some solutions.
- Help your child feel safe to share their feelings.
“My daughter is hard on herself…I’m giving her permission to cry, to be sad, and for all those things, and to be happy, but then channel that, once you get to that point, to get out of it. Find her own solution. Helping her walk through the process of it.” – Ohio Parent
- Continue to build nurturing relationships at home.
- Set aside time each week to spend quality time with your child and see how they are doing.
- When appropriate, tell your child about yourself. You can share about your week, what you are excited about, or how you are feeling.
“I really feel that knowing your children and knowing what they’re capable of is very helpful.” – Ohio Parent
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Additional Resources
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Access the
Glossary to learn more about specific terms.
These resources aim to bolster academic, student wellness, and college and career outcomes for Ohio's English Learners. Resources were created through a collaborative effort between the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and The Ohio State University's Center on Education and Training for Employment along with a dedicated group of family advocates, community leaders, school district staff, and teachers.
Last Modified: 10/28/2024 11:40:49 AM