BREAKING THE STIGMA: HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
Parenting is no easy task—juggling work, school runs, and preparing healthy meals are just a few of the daily responsibilities. In the midst of these tasks, it’s essential to remember that the most important thing a parent can give their child is time.
Time to share the good things and the challenging things that life invariably brings to the table. This quality time lays the foundation for open conversations, including those about mental health—a subject still shrouded in stigma and misunderstanding.
Recent statistics show that mental health challenges are not uncommon among children:
- According to the World Health Organization, half of all mental health conditions begin by the age of 14.
- A 2023 report found that 1 in 3 children (8–13) experienced mental health symptoms, with 16% facing anxiety and 23% depression.
- Nearly 75% of teens experienced significant anxiety or depression by 18, per Murdoch Children's Research Institute.
These numbers reinforce the importance of preventative mental health education and early intervention. Here are three key principles to help you navigate these important chats with your children - each with their own specific activity you can try out for yourself!
BE HONEST AND NORMALISE MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES
Normalise Stress: Recognise that stress, worry, and sadness are a natural part of life—it’s not about ‘good’ or ‘bad’ feelings, but understanding and embracing them.
Share Your Own Experiences: with stress or moments when you felt down to help them understand that such feelings are normal.
Remove Shame: Emphasise that struggling with mental health is nothing to be ashamed of.
In our Year 8 Workshop, Understanding the Villains, students take a deep dive into their own "villain side," exploring challenging emotions with honesty and self-reflection. This powerful session helps them understand their struggles, build emotional awareness, and turn obstacles into growth opportunities.
Parents Challenge
We challenge you to spark a real conversation at the dinner table! Open up about your own "villain side" and normalize tough emotions—whether it’s a weekly check-in or a nightly ritual. Creating a safe space for honesty helps build deeper connections and emotional resilience for the whole family.
LISTEN WITHOUT JUDGMENT
Create a safe space: where your child feels comfortable sharing their feelings—whether it’s through a heartfelt chat at home or a visit to their favourite place.
Active Listening: Focus on truly understanding what they’re experiencing rather than offering immediate solutions.
Seeking Professional Help: Reinforcing to kids that seeking professional help is a sign of strength promotes a healthy mindset and encourages them to prioritise their well-being.
In every LifeChanger Workshop, our facilitators aim to create a space where students feel safe to share their honest thoughts without any judgement or being labeled as wrong. In our Mentor Training we frame this topic around ‘Choosing Curiosity over Judgement’.
Parents Challenge
This week, practice Choosing Curiosity over Judgment at home! When your child shares their thoughts or feelings, resist the urge to correct or criticise—instead, ask open-ended questions and truly listen. Creating a judgment-free space helps build trust and encourages open conversations through simple family connection activities.
MODEL POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR
Lead by Example: Show healthy ways to manage stress—whether through self-care, open conversations at the dinner table, or problem-solving—and share your own feelings constructively.
Stay Present and Supportive: If your child is facing challenges, stay actively involved, offering consistent love and encouragement to help them overcome any obstacles.
Normalize Seeking Support: Demonstrate that asking for help, whether from friends, family, or professionals, is a strength and a vital part of personal growth.
In LifeChanger's Year 6 Program, students have a chance to model expressing their boundaries to their friends in our "I statements" activity. This allows students to not only model positive behaviour to themselves but also to their peers.
Parents Challenge
Practice setting healthy boundaries as a family! This week, use "I statements" to express your feelings and needs—for example, “I feel overwhelmed when there’s too much noise, so I’d love some quiet time after work.” Modelling this helps your child build confidence in setting their own boundaries with friends.
Remember, while these tips are not a one-size-fits-all solution, they offer a valuable starting point. Investing time in these conversations not only helps break down the stigma surrounding mental health but also creates a nurturing space where your child feels understood and supported.
Let us know how you go with these activites and challenges with your own kids - share your experience with us on our socials today!
WE ALL WANT WHAT’S BEST FOR OUR KIDS. BY GIFTING THEM YOUR TIME AND ENGAGING OPENLY ABOUT BOTH LIFE’S HIGHS AND LOWS, YOU’RE TAKING A CRUCIAL STEP TOWARD BUILDING A HEALTHIER, MORE RESILIENT FUTURE FOR THEM.
FURTHER READING
1: https://rchpoll.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Report-3-Mental-health-of-children-8%E2%80%9313-years-in-Australia.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health
