If you have children and are struggling with your mental health, then you understand just how complicated that situation can be. In this Avalon Malibu blog, we’re going to discuss having conversations with children about parental mental health. This can be a difficult subject to discuss, so it can be helpful to read through this blog and get some more information about how to have these conversations in an appropriate, effective way.
Understanding Parental Mental Health
As a parent, it can be difficult to know how much to share with your children when it comes to your mental health. Some parents feel that their mental health should be kept entirely private, while others do share openly with their children about what they’re going through. If you do want to have these discussions, consider the following points.
Be Transparent
At Avalon Malibu, we believe that transparency is important when it comes to mental health. When having conversations with your children, it’s okay to be transparent about what you’re dealing with (but it’s important to make sure that it’s age-appropriate and details that a child should know). Being transparent doesn’t necessarily mean sharing everything, but sharing enough so that your child has an appropriate idea of the situation.
Age Appropriate Discussions
You can have discussions with children at any age about mental health, but it’s important to make sure those conversations are age-appropriate. Consider doing some research to learn more about your child’s developmental age and what might be appropriate to share with them.
Support Options
It can be overwhelming for some children to learn about their parent’s mental health issues. If your child is struggling, consider making them a list of support resources that they can rely on. You can certainly be on that list, but you can also include coping mechanisms and other adults that they can talk to. Creating a list of support options is a great way to make sure that your children know they’re cared for.
We understand that this is a big topic and one that can be very complicated. If you’d like to learn more about having discussions with your children about mental health, check out our blog or give us a call. One of the easiest ways to reach us is by calling (844) 857-5992. If you call that number, you’ll be connected with a member of our staff who can provide you with more information and help guide you toward the right options for your specific situation and questions.
