Mental Health | Children and Youth

The first step to caring for our children’s mental health and well-being is taking care of our own health and wellbeing, so we have the capacity to support them.

Taking care of our well-being means doing our best to balance the things that keep us physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. There may be times when this is harder. In these circumstances, it is important to have a strong support system for ourselves and our children. A support system is a circle of people we know we can talk to about how we feel, get a hug from, or have some fun with.

Many of the same things we do to take care of our physical health help to support our mental health too:

• Get enough sleep 
• Be active and spend time outdoors  
• Eat well and have a positive relationship with food  
• Help them learn problem solving skills  
• Provide opportunities for them to meet new people and maintain healthy relationships 
• Get involved in the community (join a club or volunteer) 
• Learn positive ways to cope with emotions (learn about co-regulation) 
• Treat them in a way that helps them feel loved, safe, valued, capable and accepted 
• Build their resiliency skills 

Almost half (46%) of grade 7 to 12 students surveyed in Ontario report that they rarely or never talk to their parents about their problems or feelings (OSDUHS). It is important to check-in and connect with our children and youth daily to ask about their day, stay in touch with how they are doing, and discuss the ups and downs of their day. Ask open-ended questions. Make them feel heard, and safe to share their thoughts and feelings (Neufeld & Maté, 2013).

Coping Strategies for At Home - Mental Health and Well-Being | Avon Maitland District School Board

Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Maté (2013). Hold on to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Their Peers. Knopf Canadian Publishing, Vintage Canada. 

Have that Talk [YouTube] | Ottawa Public Health 

Mental Health | Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board

Mental Health Literacy
Evidence-based teen mental health tools and resources for parents, teens, educators and health professionals to enhance the understanding of adolescent mental health and mental disorders.

Promoting positive mental health [YouTube] | Canadian Paediatric Society

Teen Brain Under Construction | Dr. Jean Clinton

Teens and sleep: Why you need it and how to get enough | Caring for kids

Understanding Mental Health – Parents and Caregivers | School Mental Health Ontario 

Videos for Parents | Circle of Security Parenting

We All Have Mental Health [YouTube] | Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families

WHO Commission on Social Connection | World Health Organization
Report discusses the importance of social connection.

Your child’s mental health | Caring for Kids