We are hoping to help you have these conversations with your kids and students. These are meant to be “best practices” but every situation is different. Hopefully these thoughts can help you as you navigate tricky conversations at home.

Raise your hand if you know everything about mental health! I would guess that your hand isn’t up, neither is mine. Mental health issues are on the rise and it can seem overwhelming to navigate. Here’s the deal, you aren’t alone. Your kids aren’t alone either. They need you now more than ever to help them with mental health struggles. Here are some helpful tips that can encourage you to support and care for your child.

Be Aware. A great first step is to notice something off in your child. Being mindful of sudden changes in their moods, behaviors, and activities. If you think something is off with your child, you can gently ask how they are doing? You may be surprised how much your student may open up. Don’t be afraid to ask, and make time to ask. Sometimes we are too busy, or too afraid of saying the wrong thing, so we say nothing.

Ask Questions. If something feels off, it probably is. But what questions should you ask? Starting with open ended questions like, “Can you share more about this?”; “What was that like for you?”; or “Tell me more about this” can open your child to sharing more. These kinds of questions give space for your child to share their thoughts and not feel judged for doing so.

Remain calm. It is easy for us to get emotional. Especially, when mental health conversations arise. It’s important to remember that if you ask the questions, you might get a response. These responses could be heavy. Remaining calm helps ensure your child that whatever problem is going on in their life isn’t too scary. The calm demeaner you have will provide that security your child needs.

Refrain from using “why” questions. I know I’m preaching to the choir when I say this, but I’m sure your child has asked the question “why” more than a million times in their lifetime. The reality is kids don’t do this to annoy you, rather they want to learn why something is the way it is. This logic seems to be flawless, but when dealing with mental health, you should refrain from asking “why” questions. Your child may not know what they are feeling or why they may be feeling this way. Using questions like “what makes you feel that way” or “how does that make you feel” gives the opportunity for your kids to respond with and open mind.

Be transparent. There’s no perfect parent. Kids don’t always need to have the right answers from their parents. In fact, sharing the importance of being honest can be the best answer. (Philippians 4:8-9). Refrain from preaching at them or telling them how to feel. Empathize with them! Hear them! Share your own experience with them!

Ask for help. Don’t forget to ask for help! Asking for help starts with bringing your questions to God (1 Peter 5:7). Asking close friends or your church community (Galatians 6:2). Asking people in the professional field (Proverbs 19:20-21). We’d love for you to reach out to our team at any time: ccstudents@christs.church or cckids@christs.church . Also feel free to contact our team directly or click HERE to see a list of our recommended counselors in the area.

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