It’s children’s mental health week and an opportunity to look at ways we can support children and young people.

A shocking one in eight children have a diagnosable mental health condition. That’s why Place2be launched Children’s Mental Health Week to shine a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health.

This year’s theme is ‘Find Your Brave’, something that resonates with me as I was always a painfully shy child and it looks like my son has inherited this trait from me. Bravery comes in all shapes and sizes and is different for everyone. Bravery can be about sharing worries and asking for help, trying something new or pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. You don’t have to be a superhero to be brave but in my eyes every child is already a super hero. We just need to support our children wherever we can.

Fundamentally finding your brave is about building children’s confidence, self-esteem and making them feel good about themselves.

How can you help your child find their brave?

Make time for each other

Our lives can be very busy, both us as parents and our children’s. There’s work and school, homework and deadlines, exams to revise for and targets to meet. Not to mention friends to catch up with, social events and parties. Before you know it, a whole week has flown by without having the chance to properly catch up.

It’s important to make sure you talk to your child one-to one each day. The conversation only has to be casual but always make time to ask them about their day and take the time to listen to what they have to say. That way they will know that you’re there for them and will always have time to listen.

Go outside and play

Whether it’s winter or summer go outside and play together! Vitamin D from the sunshine releases serotonin which is said to help regulate mood and emotion. Exercise is also good for everyone’s wellbeing.

By taking a break from it all and breathing in fresh air it will help stress levels and will also help your child sleep better too, supporting their emotional wellbeing. So whether it’s cycling, football, scooting, skating, flying a kite, walks in the woods, you name it, go outside together and have some fun!

Family Time

Put a date in your diary to do something fun together. Dependent on your child’s preference you could:

Where to go for help and advice

If you ever have any concerns about your child’s mental health visit Place2be’s website. They have information of where to go for support, which you can find here: Supporting your child’s mental health.

For more tips and advice on parenting visit my Mum Diaries bogs.

This post was featured by Twinkl in their Mental Health in Schools Blog‘.

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