Find out the ways you can support your child's mental health during these challenging times.
Supporting Children’s Mental Health
Tip one: Listen and reassure
Concerns may play out in behaviour or questions from children. Listen and explore their understanding to clarify facts in an age appropriate way.
Tip two: Routine is key
Having a routine provides children with predictable patterns and helps ease stress. Set up new family routines — try one for the week and one for the weekend.
Tip three: Help manage emotions
Children’s worries may come out in many ways. Help them make sense of the changes, reassure them and create a sense of hope for future.
Tip four: Encourage help seeking
Start early and introduce your children to the benefits of help seeking. Kids Helpline has a range of interactive online resources for children five to 12 years. Older children may also wish to use the phone counselling service.
Tip five: Celebrate the positives
Take time to enjoy the simple things as family, do something fun together.
Tip six: Encourage play
Play allows children to process ideas and thinking, it may be outdoor play, exercise or maybe something creative like drawing, painting or playing music.
To find out more, visit the Raising Children Network's website.
