Understanding Mental Health in Children

What is mental health in children?

Mental health means how we feel inside our heads. For children, it is about feeling happy and okay. It is also about how we deal with life's ups and downs. Good mental health helps us do well at home, in school, and with friends.

If a child feels sad, worried, or angry a lot, it might be hard for them to enjoy life. Sometimes, talking to a grown-up can help. Grown-ups like parents, teachers, or doctors can support children when they feel this way.

Here are some ways to feel better:

• Talk about feelings. Sharing how we feel can help.
• Do fun activities. Playing, drawing, or reading can make us happy.
• Take deep breaths to feel calm.

Remember, it is okay to ask for help if you feel upset or worried.

What are common mental health issues in children?

Children might have feelings or problems in their minds too. Here are some common ones:

• Feeling very worried: This is when a child feels scared or nervous a lot.
• Feeling very sad: This is when a child feels unhappy or cries often.
• Feeling angry: This is when a child gets mad easily and has trouble calming down.
• Hard to pay attention: This is when a child finds it difficult to focus or sit still.

If a child has these feelings, there are ways to help:

• Talk to someone: Encourage the child to talk to a parent, teacher, or counselor about their feelings.
• Use calming techniques: Teach the child to take deep breaths or do a fun activity to relax.
• Draw or write: Let the child express their feelings through drawing or writing.

How can I tell if my child is feeling unwell in their mind?

Your child might have a mental health problem if they:

• Feel very sad or worried often
• Have trouble sleeping or eating
• Get angry a lot
• Avoid friends and family
• Have difficulty in school

Think about:

• Talking to your child and asking how they feel
• Speaking to your child's doctor or teacher
• Looking for support from child mental health services

Tools that may help:

• Drawing to express feelings
• Relaxing activities like deep breathing
• Reading simple books about feelings

What makes children feel mentally unwell?

Children can feel mentally unwell for different reasons.

Here are some things that might make children feel this way:

• Feeling sad or worried a lot.
• Being bullied at school.
• Having problems at home.
• When someone they love is sick or dies.
• If they are hurt or treated badly.

It's important to talk to a trusted adult if a child feels unwell in their mind.

Using tools like drawing or writing can help children express their feelings.

How can I help my child's feelings?

When do I ask for help for my child's feelings?

If you think your child is sad or worried a lot, it might be time to get help. Here are some signs:

• Your child is sad or angry often.
• They do not want to play or do fun things.
• Your child is having trouble at school.
• They have changes in sleep or eating.
• Your child says they feel scared or worried all the time.

If you see these signs, you can talk to a doctor or a counselor. They can help you and your child. It is okay to ask for help.

You can also use books or apps with pictures to help your child talk about their feelings.

What can help children with mental health problems?

Here are some things that might help:

• Talking to a doctor or nurse.
• Seeing a therapist who talks and listens.
• Going to a special group to talk with other kids.
• Using medicines that a doctor says are okay.
• Doing fun activities like drawing, sports, or games.

Getting help from people at home or school is important too.

Remember, it’s okay to ask for help!

Can schools help with my child's feelings?

Schools can help if your child feels sad, worried, or upset. Teachers and school counselors are there to listen and help. They can talk to your child and find ways to make them feel better.

Here are some ways schools can help:

• Provide a safe place to talk about feelings.
• Teach children how to handle their emotions.
• Offer counseling sessions.
• Work with parents to support the child.

If you are worried about your child, talk to the school staff. They can give ideas and help find more support if needed.

How do parents help with their child's mental health?

Can I find help online in the UK for children's mental health?

Yes, there are helpful websites for children's mental health in the UK.

Try these:

• YoungMinds: They have tips and advice.
• Childline: You can talk to someone or chat online.
• MindEd: They have learning resources for adults.

You can talk to a grown-up if you need more help.

How can I talk to my child about mental health?

How do I talk to my child about how they feel?

Talking about feelings can be hard. Here are some easy steps to help:

• Find a quiet place to chat.
• Ask your child how they feel.
• Listen carefully. Let them tell you what is on their mind.
• Tell them it's okay to have their feelings.
• Use simple words they can understand.

Helpful tools or tips:

• Use books or storytime to talk about feelings.
• You can draw pictures together about how you feel.
• Use toys to act out feelings, like happy or sad.
• Keep showing your child love and support.

Can food and exercise change how my child feels?

What your child eats and how much they move can change how they feel. Eating good food and playing can help them feel happy and strong.

Here are some tips to help:

• Give your child lots of fruits and vegetables.
• Encourage them to play outside and run around.
• Make sure they get enough sleep at night.

If you need help, you can talk to a doctor or a teacher. They can give you more information.

How does social media affect how children feel?

How can I help my child learn to feel better when they are upset?

Do kids in UK schools learn about mental health?

Yes, children in UK schools learn about mental health. This topic is part of their lessons or subjects. They learn how to talk about feelings and understand emotions.

Supportive tools like pictures, stories, and videos can help kids learn better. Teachers might use these to make learning more fun and easy.