Mental Health Talk Youth:
Help children build strong, caring relationships:
- Spend some time together around the dinner table
- Show your child/children how to solve problems
- Be a role model for you child/children; show patients and love
Help children and youth develop self-esteem, so that they feel good about themselves
- Show love and acceptance
- Praise them when they do well. Recognize their efforts as well as what they achieve
- Ask questions about their activities and interests
Listen, and respect their feelings
- It’s ok for children to feel sad, angry or scared. Encourage them to talk about how they feel
- Keep communication and conversation open by asking questions or helping them to create a feelings wheel
- Encourage your child to talk to some one they trust if they do not feel comfortable talking to you
Things to watch for in Children and Youth for Mental Health
- Saying negative things about themselves or blaming themselves for things beyond their control
- Trouble concentrating
- Changes in school performance
- Seeming very unhappy, worried, guilty, fearful, irritable, sad, or angry
- Feeling helpless, hopeless, lonely, or rejected
- Wanting to be alone often
- Showing less interest in or withdrawing from sports, games, or other activities they enjoy
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Mental Health Talk Adults:
Help our loved ones build strong, caring relationships:
- Spend some time together around the dinner table.
- Set time aside with no distractions.
- Recognize their efforts and thank them for it.
Listen, and respect their feelings
- It’s ok for adults to feel sad, angry or scared. Encourage them to talk about how they feel.
- Keep communication and conversation open by asking open-ended questions.
- Encourage your loved one to talk to someone they trust if they do not feel comfortable talking to you.
- Offer your loved one help in seeking professional support and provide information on ways to do this.
- Listen carefully to what your loved one is saying.
- Talk about your loved ones wellbeing.
- Don’t try to diagnose or second guess your loved ones feelings.
Things to watch for in Adults for Mental Health
- Saying negative things about themselves or blaming themselves for things beyond their control.
- Trouble concentrating.
- Seeming very unhappy, worried, guilty, fearful, irritable, sad, or angry
- Feeling helpless, hopeless, lonely, or rejected.
- Wanting to be alone often.
- Showing less interest in or withdrawing from activities they enjoy
- Know your limits and seek help for your loved one if needed.