Unison Parenting Blog: Four Small Ways to Help Your Child's Mental Health

The number one concern of parents these days is their child's mental health, according to a recent study by Pew Research Center. But talking about mental health is new to most parents. Until recently, mental health topics were taboo.

How can a parent change to make mental health part of family dialogue before it's too late? And importantly, how can parents agree on a consistent approach?

This is the first of two blogs I'm planning on this topic. To start, parents can work together to create a supportive home environment for their children by creating a safe space where all feelings — positive and negative — can be discussed. Parenting partners should readily see how valuable it is for a child to raise concerns to any one of them, so a united method is best.

Here are four ideas proposed by Dr. Leslee Marcom of the Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center.

1. Avoid fix-it mode.

Our initial reaction to our kids' problems is to try to fix them. That's not always the best path, especially when it comes to mental health. In fact, fix-it parents may unintentionally drive their kids away. Instead, take an approach of listening and validating emotions to create understanding before solutions are sought.

2. Stay consistent and calm.

Regulate your own emotions so you can listen and focus on them. If you don't, the child may pivot to tend to your feelings rather than their own.

3. Model right behavior.

Practice exercises that promote your own mental health and share them with children. One example is deep breathing, which fosters calmness by increasing oxygen in the body. Many breathing exercises recommend inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. A Navy Seal routine is to inhale over four counts, hold the air for four counts, exhale over four counts, and leave your lungs empty for four counts.

4. Balance your (and their) life with positive activities

Creative pursuits, athletic endeavors, and volunteer actions all contribute to mental health. Beware of overloading with more activities, but the benefits are strong if you can avoid overextending.