Mental health issues are prevalent among kids. In fact, according to UNICEF, 14% of 15- to 24-year-olds in India have reported feeling depressed or unmotivated. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to make them know they are not alone. It’s also crucial to send them to one of Coimbatore’s best schools to ensure that they get the support they need.
Opening the conversation about mental health with your children
Talking about emotional topics with young kids can feel stressful and uncomfortable. But it’s essential to address the stigma from its roots and open the conversation slowly, encouraging your children to become more accepting of the situation.
Here are a few examples to help you start:
- Use medical analogies.
Explaining physical conditions like asthma or headaches, are sometimes much easier because the symptoms are perceivable. You can use these problems as an analogy for mental health disorders, emphasising that treatment and medication are essential to feeling better.
- Give concrete examples.
Children are curious and creative little beings and are more likely to understand a situation when given a clear example. For instance, you can explain a panic attack as if it were a significant life-or-death situation, likening the feeling of a racing heart and hyperventilation to the symptoms of a panic attack. Then, you can emphasise that these responses are normal, helping your child understand how to deal with the situation.
- Learn to listen.
The key to a healthy conversation is to listen. Kids will feel more encouraged to express themselves when you are attentive, showing empathy and offering validation. In addition, you can also cite a few instances where you felt the same way, letting your child know that they are not alone. It’s vital to have these conversations regularly.
Sending your children to Coimbatore’s best schools can also help them understand mental health better. Moreover, the best schools in Coimbatore with CBSE can provide an avenue for students to gain healthy coping mechanisms, such as participating in extracurricular activities, playing with their friends, and seeking guidance from their teachers.
