Keiki Mental Health

How can parents offer mental health support?

• Care for your children’s mental health just like you do for their physical health.

• Let your children know that everyone experiences pain, fear, sadness, worry, and anger sometimes. Encourage them to talk about their feelings and worries.

• Be a role model—talk about your own feelings, apologize as needed, express anger without violence, and use active problem-solving skills.

• Support your children’s talents and skills, but also help them accept their limits. Celebrate their accomplishments.

• Give your children opportunities to learn and explore, like engaging in their school and community and with other caring adults and friends.

• Think of discipline as a form of teaching instead of punishment. Set clear expectations and consistent, fair consequences. Recognize both positive and negative actions.

• Review positive parenting tips for children of all ages.

• Pay attention to warning signs of a potential mental health issue, and if you’re concerned there might be a problem, seek professional help.

  (Source: Mental Health America)

Signs of potential mental health problems in children and teens

You know your child best, so if you’re noticing one or more of the signs below that feel uncharacteristic for your child, it may be a sign of a deeper issue with their mental health.

• Poor grades despite strong effort

• Constant worry or anxiety

• Repeated refusal to go to school or do normal activities

• Hyperactivity or fidgeting

• Repeated nightmares

• Lasting disobedience or aggression

• Depression, sadness or irritability

• Significant changes in sleep, weight or eating habits

• Loss of interest in the things they usually love or quitting activities that they enjoy

• Canceling plans with their closest friends with little or no explanation

• A whole new set of friends you've never met before

• Refusing to talk about what's bothering them, even after you've made it safe to discuss hard issues openly

• Obsession with a certain goal, possibly with the belief that if they don't achieve it, their life will never be the same

• Signs of drug, alcohol or other substance use

• Signs of self-harm such as cuts, burns, bruises, etc. that your teen tries to hide or can't explain fully and credibly

• Sexual activity or interest that seems new or more intense than before

Learn more about common mental health issues in children and teens.

(Sources: Mental Health America, American Academy of Pediatrics)