In 1992, the World Federation for Mental Health established the first World Mental Health Day, which continues today and is held annually on October 10th (WMHD, 2024). On this day, various organizations, governments, and individuals work together to increase awareness of the mental health challenges people around the globe face each day and to create a platform for advocacy and education. Today, the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State joins the World Federation for Mental Health to recognize the importance of normalizing discussions around mental health challenges, reducing stigma around mental health disorders, and providing resources and support to individuals in need.
Mental Health
One’s mental health can affect how they think, feel, and act and can influence their emotional, psychological, and social well-being (Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State, 2021). Often, one’s mental health defines how they cope with everyday stressors and achievements, how they deal with ups and downs in relationships, and how they make decisions (Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State, 2021).
Parents and Mental Health
As a parent, you need to understand what your child’s mental health needs might be and be able to recognize when your child may need outside support (Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State, 2021). In addition, you should be aware of and recognize your own mental health needs. Parenting can come with positive experiences like joy, love, and human connection, but it can also come with significant challenges and can create stress across the different life stages of your children (Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, 2024). Taking care of yourself may feel unnecessary or not worthy of prioritization; however, when you take care of yourself and learn how to cope with everyday stressors, you set yourself up to better help those around you.
Remember, prioritizing your health and well-being by eating healthy meals, engaging in physical activity, identifying ways to find and achieve your calm, leveraging your circle of support, and establishing a positive work-home-life balance are important elements to integrate into your life. By taking care of yourself, you will be better able to meet your own needs and help your child when they are in need. Further, when parents model healthy and effective strategies that help them regulate their own emotions, their children benefit from seeing their parents cope with difficult situations and can learn ways to help themselves manage and regulate their own emotions (Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State, 2022b).
Children and Mental Health
Having and exhibiting good mental health is an important component for parents as they help and support their child as they grow into a healthy adult. Children with good mental health are better able to have and maintain positive interactions with family members and friends, work towards and achieve educational milestones, and find ways to participate in their local community (Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State, 2021).
Experiencing poor mental health can be the result of different factors that may include biological components, such as genetic issues or brain chemistry; life experiences, such as past trauma or abuse; or a family history of mental health challenges (Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State, 2021). In addition, there are certain situations and instances that may increase a child’s risk for these concerns, such as family stress, chronic illness, grief and loss caused by death, or physical/sexual/emotional abuse (Youth.gov, n.d.a).
Parents and caregivers can help their children feel happy and positive about themselves by showing their children love and affection, spending time with their children, encouraging their children to talk about their feelings, and being interested in what’s happening in their children’s lives (Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State, 2021). Physical health is also an important component to maintaining good mental health. Just like you, as a parent, need to take care of yourself, you can help your child maintain healthy habits in their lifestyle, like being physically active, eating nutritious foods, and getting enough sleep (Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State, 2021).
Watch for Warning Signs
Mental health challenges can come with warning signs. Be sure to watch for any early warning signs that could indicate your child may be struggling with mental health challenges. Warning signs may include the following (Chung, 2024; Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State, 2021, 2022a, 2022b; Youth.gov, n.d.b):
- Eating or sleeping too much or too little
- Having problems concentrating
- Struggling in school, or showing a dramatic drop in grades
- Feeling afraid of or wanting to avoid school
- Pulling away or withdrawing from people and usual activities they used to enjoy
- Having low or no energy
- Feeling numb or like nothing matters
- Having unexplained aches and pains, or complaining of physically not feeling well over a long period of time
- Excessively dieting or exercising, or having a fear of weight gain
- Engaging in self-harm behaviors (such as cutting or burning their skin)
- Engaging in risky or destructive behavior, alone or with friends
- Having periods of highly elevated energy and activity, and requiring much less sleep than usual
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Using alcohol or drugs
- Sexually acting out
- Participating in illegal activities
- Running away
- Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
- Yelling or fighting with family and friends, or wanting to spend much more time alone
- Experiencing mood swings
- Feeling anxious, or having persistent thoughts and memories they can’t get out of their head
- Making inappropriate comments like “nobody would care if I was gone “or “I don’t deserve to live”
- Hearing voices, or believing things that are not true
- Thinking of harming themself, others, or the environment
- Having suicidal thoughts
Additional Resources
Adolescent Mental Health: Parenting to Wellness
Adolescent Mental Health: Parenting to Wellness is a Thrive Initiative supplemental parent-education module that is designed to offer support to parents and caregivers of adolescents who experience mental health challenges.
Branch Out is a Thrive Initiative program that is specifically designed for parents, guardians, and caregivers of adolescents or children who are 10 to 18 years old. During adolescence, youth need their parents’ attention and support more than ever. Many changes and transitions occur during adolescence, so this phase of life is a time of excitement and anxiety—for youth and their parents. Throughout this program, information and parenting strategies are offered for parents to adapt as necessary to fit their child and their individual circumstances. Programming focuses on helping you learn communication skills and on encouraging you as you work with your adolescent to build a relationship that is centered around respect and trust.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers resources for adults and children to help them learn more about mental health or help them cope with mental health challenges.
This 3-minute mini-booster video module presents information to new parents and caregivers about the importance of taking care of themselves and practicing healthy behaviors, so they can more effectively care for their new baby.
SAMSA Hotline – Call or text 988
SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889, is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service. It can be accessed in English and Spanish and is specifically for individuals and family members who are facing mental health or substance-use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.
References
Chung, R. J. (2024, March 4). Teen mental health: How to know when your child needs help. Healthychildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/Pages/Mental-Health-and-Teens-Watch-for-Danger-Signs.aspx
Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State. (2021). Mental health [Module 4 of the Branch Out Online Curricula]. Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State.
Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State. (2022a). Part 2 – Parents’ Role in Helping Child Return to Wellness [Module 3 of the Adolescent Mental Health: Parenting to Wellness Online Curricula]. Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State. Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State. (2022b). Part 3 – Parental Self
Care [Module 4 of the Adolescent Mental Health: Parenting to Wellness Online Curricula]. Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State.
Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. (2024). Parents under pressure: The U.S. surgeon general’s advisory on the mental health and well-being of parents. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/parents-under-pressure.pdf
World Federation for Mental Health. (2024). World health mental health day 2024. https://wmhdofficial.com
Youth.gov. (n.d.). Risk and protective factors for youth. https://youth.gov/youth-topics/youth-mental-health/risk-and-protective-factors-youth
Youth.gov. (n.d.). Warning signs. Youth.gov. https://youth.gov/youth-topics/youth-mental-health/warning-signs