Improving Children’s Mental Health- 9 Ways To Do It!

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The mental health of your child is essential just like the physical health. Parents often take their kids to the doctor for regular check-ups, give them good food to eat, and give a book to develop his or her vocabulary. But what parents are doing to take care of their child’s mental health?

It is important to note that mental health of a child is very much important when it comes to academics and behavior. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate, 1 out of 5 children have to experience mental health disorders. All the mental health problems can’t be prevented so it is important to take steps for keeping your child mentally healthy.

Taking Care of Mental Health

One of the best things that parents can do is to take care of their child’s mental health on their own. In this way, you will not keep an eye on their habits that will improve their mental health but it will create a healthy environment for your child.

Wondering, how can parents do it? Below are the 9 ways to help you out:

1-Developing Healthy Relationship with Others

Children’s relationship with parents is significant but this is not the only relationship that matters. A mentally healthy child will have a better relationship with other family members like cousins, grandparents, neighbors, and friends. Even if parents are spending a good amount of time with their child, they should also allow their child to build a healthy relationship with others. This will provide him the opportunity to connect with other people. For instance, you can allow your kids to have a sleepover with grandma or cousins.

2-Developing Trust Among Your Kids

Child and parent relationships are very much important. This will play an important role in a child’s mental health. Developing a feeling of safety and security will start with developing trust between the child and parent. This will be a way to ensure that you are going to fulfill your child’s physical and emotional needs. This will include taking care of your child when he or she is hungry, feeling hot or cold, thirsty, or scared. Remember that things like broken promises, empty threats, and inconsistent care will make things difficult for your child.

3-Staying Consistent is Important

The importance of staying consistent can’t be ignored. Children want to have a predictable environment where they can easily understand what activity they can do next, with whom they will spend time, what consequences they have to face if they are going to break any rule, and what they are going to get in return for their good behavior.

No matter whatever the situation parents are facing. They should be consistent in their love and care. It is very essential for your kid to understand the things happening in your life.

4-Developing Self-Esteem

Help your child to develop their self-esteem to boost their child’s mental health. You need to teach your child how to develop their own self-esteem. Below are the ways to help your child in developing self-esteem:

• Give your child realistic and genuine praise. You need to praise your child for the efforts instead of giving him exaggerated comments like “You are the smartest kids in school”.
• Give them the freedom to do things. Kids love to do things independently. Let them do work like making a sandwich, dressing up, and so much more on their own.
• Parents should act as a good role model for their kids. If parents are also struggling with self-esteem issues, then it’s time to improve your self-esteem to be a good role model for your kid.
• Do encourage your child to learn new things and explore more about their hidden talent and interests.

5-Teach Your Child to Manage Stress

Stress is part of life. It is important for the parents to protect their child from traumatic events because this can lead to mental health problems.

Situations like getting failed in the examination, not getting included in the sports team, and disagreement with friends might happen sometimes. You need to teach your kid to deal with these situations. A child may get stress relief from different activities like writing, drawing, talking to a friend, and much more. So, parents should proactively identify the things that children can do to reduce their stress levels.

6-Tell Them About Healthy Habits

A good amount of sleep, a healthy diet, and plenty of exercises are important for your child’s physical health but also for mental health. It is necessary for parents to teach their kids that developing healthy habits will keep their body and mind in good shape.

7-Look Out For Problems

There is a possibility that your child might become sad or anxious in normal situations like going to school, meeting with new people, and much more. If this behavior lasts for two weeks, then this is a sign of a problem. Parents should keep an eye on their kids, talk to their teachers to know about the behavior of the child, or get professional help.

8-Play With Your Child

A child who wants to be physically and mentally fit needs to play. Parents should take out some time from their busy schedule to play with the kids. In this way, your child will be happy and it will develop a better relationship. Furthermore, you will be relaxed as well.

9-Get Professional Help

According to an estimate, only 21% of the children get the treatment for their mental health issues. This clearly shows that a large percentage of kids are not getting the treatment they need. It is important for parents to get the assistance of a professional to avoid the problems later. This will not only improve the child’s mental health but parents will also get resources and support if they are also struggling.

Conclusion

These were the nine ways that can help parents to improve their child’s mental health. Proper care is the key to help your child and connect with a professional as soon as possible

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