5 signs to Know Your Child’s Mental Health is Okay

26 Oct 5 signs to Know Your Child’s Mental Health is Okay

As we all know, the rate at which children are being diagnosed with depression leads to an increase in suicides, it’s high time parents helped curb the menace and addressed the issue by looking out for signs. Continue reading for the 5 signs to Know Your Child”s Mental Health is Okay.

There are offline and online resources available to anyone who wants to know the warning signs of suicidal thoughts in children, I have listed and explained five of them below for your understanding of this topic.

Traits of a Bad Mental Health

1. Unexpected personality change

2. Verbal cues such as “I’m exhausted,” “I wish I could simply end it all,” and similar expressions

3. Careless or impulsive behaviours that are on the verge of self-destructive behaviour

4. Attempts at suicide and self-harm

5. Isolation and withdrawal

If you notice that your child is exhibiting any of these traits, the best thing to do is contact a health practitioner to have them evaluated.

However, there are other traits that indicate that your child has good and sound mental health, below are five of them:

A sense of Humour

If you have a child who has a sense of humour and loves to laugh when stressed, who loves to dance and play and sing, there is a chance he or she has stable mental health.

Someone with a sense of humour tends to see the light even in darkness and challenging times.

However, making fun of others and laughing at their expense isn’t an indication of good mental health, it could be a sign of insecurity masked by dark humour.

Even a persistent ego that passes for humour should be evaluated because it does not indicate good emotional health.

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Tolerance and Patience

Your child has good mental health if he is patient, tolerates and endures unforeseen circumstances, and solves problems proactively, instead of letting them linger.

On the contrary, a child that desires immediate needs could lack the virtues of patience and tolerance.

Interpersonal skills

International skills have to do with being able to strike conversations and sustain them, how to be empathic toward others regardless of the difference in personality or other factors.

If your child can establish meaningful relationships and have reasonable discussions then they are emotionally, psychologically, and mentally sound.

Alone Time

Check to see if your child can spend time alone without becoming anti-social, enjoy quiet time without interruptions, and find a balance between socialising and taking daily breaks for himself.

These are all signs of psychological fitness and good mental health. On the other hand, a child who seeks out alone and isolates themselves from others may be experiencing social anxiety and may need assistance in getting well.

Shows Emotional Intelligence

Does your child recognize and accept her feelings? Is she conscious of what is happening inside her own body?

Does she choose the proper way to express her sentiments, such as by taking pleasure in them?

If you said “Yes” to the questions above, your child probably has healthy mental health.

However, if you notice that your child frequently denies or suppresses her emotions, refuses to engage in open communication, and responds, “I’m fine,” each time you inquire about her well-being, consult a specialist.

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Activities that Improve Emotional and Mental health

Here are some easy things you may do to encourage your child’s mental health and well-being:

Positives Checklist

The “Positives Checklist” is an easy activity that doesn’t require any props, resources, or preparation and is intended for families to boost each other’s self-confidence and self-esteem.

Every member of the family gathers in a circle (on the floor or around a table) and reads aloud a list of their observations on each other’s positive traits.

Friendly Description

Another easy exercise is “Friendly Description,” where you ask your child to make a list of the attributes or qualities about himself that a friend could find endearing.

Let’s Save the World

Pick a day each month or every two months and take your child to visit an orphanage, where you can all volunteer in some capacity in order to build a sense of gratitude and build tolerance, patience, and kindness in your child.

Please immediately seek professional assistance for your child if you observe any of the warning signs or indicators that might be a reason for worry.