World Mental Health Day took place on the 10th October and this years theme iwas ‘Young People and Mental Health In a Changing World’, as set by the World Federation for Mental Health.

Walk in my shoes had a podcast available to primary school children to listen to today. Ms O’Halloran’s 5th class tuned in to the podcast. Different children rang in with their worries and strategies they could use were discussed on air. The children found it very informative. This website has lots of practical tips and advice for parents to follow.

Tips for parents in supporting well being and mental health issues

Understanding the factors that influence your child’s well being is the first step in promoting your child’s mental health. Finding practical ways to do it is the next step.

• Teach and help your child to understand, express and manage their feelings. It will help them create healthy coping mechanisms;
• Talk about your child’s feelings and try to understand and respect them. This will create a strong bond between you and your child, which will help them feel safe and protected;
• You can help your child to cope with difficult situations by being supportive;
• Teach and help your child to understand stress, loss and grief are normal emotions we all go through in life;
• Try to create and maintain routines, as this will create a consistent environment that can help your child feel safe;
• Create and maintain a supportive relationship with close family members, it will create a secure environment for your child;
• Encourage and initiate activities that stimulate your child’s social and emotional skills, such as expressing and managing their emotions. Be on the lookout for fun and interesting ways to stimulate their emotional development;
• Look for opportunities to build partnerships and relationships with other parents and carers to support your child;
• Observe your child’s behaviours and whenever you notice concerning tendencies, don’t hesitate to ask for specialised help.

Mental health difficulties can seem overwhelming and scary. The good news is that a supportive and stable environment can go a long way when it comes to supporting your child’s wellbeing. It’s important to be involved in your child’s development and pay attention to their tendencies and behaviours.