What to say to support family or friends whose child may be dealing with mental health issues

When you're struggling to help a child deal with a mental health issue, you can feel alone.  Here's some advice on supporting friends or family who are trying to cope.


By Theresa Tayler, Calgary Herald

What would you do if a family member or close friend confided in you their child was struggling with a mental health issue?

It can be hard to find the right words to support someone who may be worried about their child’s health and their future.

Here are some tips from Dianna Campbell-Smith, Director, Counselling Initiatives, Calgary Counselling Centre, on what you can say to help support a parent or family during this time.

1. Assure them that their child’s mental health issue does not reflect on their parenting.

2. Let them know it’s not a big deal to ask for help by reminding them that if their child had an earache, they would visit a doctor. This is no different: checking on a concern is better than writing off a child’s behaviour as “just a phase.”

3. Tell them to trust their gut feelings — if something doesn’t seem right with their child, encourage them to ask a knowledgeable, trusted adviser for their opinion.

4. If a parent says their child has not expressed to them that they feel depressed or out of sorts, remind them that kids may not have the words for what they’re feeling. Acting out may be a signal of distress. Behavioural changes should be the alert that something may be up.

5. Remind them that it’s important to listen to their child, no matter what age they are, and to take the child’s concerns seriously.

6. Encourage them to act quickly. Getting a child treatment as soon as possible lessens the impact and long-term effects of mental health issues. Suggest that it may be better to have their child see a professional who can assess them than to leave the situation to get worse.

7. Long-term health gains far outweigh any short-term inconvenience involved in accessing help or getting treatment. Let the parent know it’s OK to be an aggressive advocate for their child; they don’t have to apologize. Mental health is just as important as their child’s marks and their physical health.


Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/What+support+family+friends+whose+child+dealing+with+mental+health+issues/5523736/story.html#ixzz1aQKHQxvI