Parenting is difficult enough, but raising a child with mental health issues is even more difficult. This series will be focused on giving moms advice regarding the hardships parenting a child with a mental condition comes with.
Raising a Child With a Mental Illness
Unfortunately, there is no official guidebook on parenting a child with a mental illness, but here are some recommendations on how to raise a child with mental health needs that will make your life and your child's life easier.
- Be patient. When a kid or teenager has a mental health condition, they often struggle to manage their emotions, thoughts, or behavior - this will take a lot of patience on your behalf. You can't just lash out at them if they do anything you don't like. What you can do is maintain your composure and remind them that what they did was incorrect. This may assist children in distinguishing between good and wrong.
- Do your research. The best way to help a child with a mental health disorder is to take care of yourself, keep your cup full as we often say at Solstice Pacific. If you are rested, fed, getting alone time, and so forth, now take another step: make sure you understand it for yourself. There are plenty of resources out there. Ask your child’s doctor questions. Find books on the topic. Do research online. Our website provides a lot of information regarding mental health and solutions.
- Educate your child. They may not grasp what is going on, especially if they are young. They're probably already intrigued, so take the time to explain their condition, signs, and why it's occurring to them. Also, answer each of their questions. The more your child knows his or her health status, the more likely they are to increase self-awareness in social settings and to know when symptoms need more attention, such as added duration of the intervention they like best. The most important part of someone asking for help is their self-trust and their trust for the person they are asking for support.
- When necessary, inform others. You can't remain with your child all day everyday, no matter how much you want to - especially if they are attending school. It is important that they inform their instructors and classmates about their condition as well as any warning signs to be on the lookout for - this will assist them understand what your child is capable of and why they do what they do. If your child is old enough, you may rely on them to inform the others around them about their limits, questions, needs and concerns.
- Let them know that they are loved and supported. One of the most essential things you can provide a child is an atmosphere in which they feel loved and significant. They know they will be supported no matter what they do which makes them feel more secure and comfortable at home. This is especially important around the Holidays. Christmas, New Years and Valentine’s Day bring up lots of emotions whether you and your loved one are accustomed to talking about them.
- Don’t minimize their symptoms. Parenting someone who is learning about their mental health disorder is challenging. However, you are the one who knows the most about their symptoms. It's critical to keep an eye on them and get assistance if you see anything unusual. This might indicate that their mental status or coping are deteriorating or that they are not taking their medications, or even that an environment or social change is adversely affecting them. It may also be beneficial to write down their symptoms and the patterns (such as time, person, place) so that you are aware of what you need to consult when you go to the doctor. The more details you can provide, the better. It's essential to get them help as soon as possible before things grow worse.
- Seek for professional help. You may not be able to handle all of the responsibilities on your own, and that’s okay. It is perfectly fine to ask for professional assistance. Treatment may be able to help you and your child live a better life. It may be hard to accept that you cannot deal with everything on your own, but it is critical that you get them the help that they deserve.
Taking Care of Your Own Mental Health
Parenting may be overwhelming and too much to bear especially for new parents, and this can affect your whole health. It's necessary to keep in mind to take care of yourself, so that you can provide your family with the greatest possible care - that's why we recommend taking a step back and spending some time for stillness then acting on your own needs. It is critical that you set time for yourself and engage in the activities that you have always liked. Spend some time connecting with friends and family. It may help you refuel whether it's through a phone conversation or a meal. Taking care of your child’s mental health probably tops your priority list, but your own mental health should be up there as well.
Solstice Pacific is here for you.
We want to reassure you that you are not alone while you go through this process. We will be there to help you whether it's for your child's mental health or your own. If you think that you might be showing signs of depression, please visit our page here to know the treatment options available. If you're interested in receiving treatment from us, the first thing we'll ask is that you complete this assessment and verify your insurance.
