Caring for Young Minds: Stories and Advice for Navigating Mental Health.
In honour of Children’s Mental Health Week, we delve into the stories of parents navigating their lives with children who struggle with mental health or learning difficulties. Through inspiring interviews, we have gathered a collection of tips and advice that will help guide and empower you.
Kellie’s Story:
Kellie has opened up about her three children who have ADHD and sensory issues, autism and anxiety. “Life is never dull” for Kellie but she has found it chaotic and difficult at times. So, she has adopted strategies to support herself and her children. “Each child is different” and remembering this is so important. Kellie found that attending breakfast club eased the transition for her daughter, who struggled with school. So, figure out what little steps you can take to be supportive.
Having open discussions about mental health as a family has been positive for Kellie. Talking about emotions and teaching her children how to manage them makes all the difference. Children copy your patterns, so sharing techniques such as managing your breathing to ease anxiety rubs off on them. Her child who struggles with anxiety has used breathing techniques in school which has calmed them.
Talia’s Journey:
Talia shared her daughter’s experience with anxiety and navigating change. Talia explains that when she began dating, it impacted her daughter. With a change in the family structure, she would have outbursts and increased anxiety. Talia found that gradually meeting as a three and communicating what her partner’s role was within the family helped. Building a positive routine or tradition, where they would do something that her daughter wanted, ensured positive association around Talia’s partner. “Be mindful of how they are feeling and respect that.”
Talia opened up about how moving to a new city and school affected her daughter. Her dyslexia, making friends and lack of confidence in school made it exhausting for her. Talia highlights the importance of working with the school to make accommodations for her daughter. This has created a more positive outlook around school.
Rachel’s Insight:
Rachel opened up about her son managing his dyslexia. “His memory processing is quite low, but when he found out he was relieved.” In school, the teachers made some adjustments, like giving him a worksheet instead of looking at the board.
Despite this, Rachel shared her son’s resilience and confidence through football. Joining the power-league enabled him to socialise, exercise and get out there which has had a positive impact on his wellbeing. Joining ‘Champions4Change’ where he trains the children has boosted his confidence. “It’s empowering, which helps him feel empowered in other parts of his life, like school.”
Daisy’s Experience:
Daisy is a young person who shared her mental health journey. Daisy explains that school has always been an overwhelming and daunting place for her. Navigating friendships groups and bullying, along with the set back of lockdown impacted her greatly, resulting in her having a lot of time off school. Now back in full time education, Daisy has fostered strategies and built up a positive mindset. “My anxiety got a lot better by communicating with people and having the confidence to speak up.”
“At times when you’re in the situation of anxiety it feels like you can never overcome it.” Daisy shares that although school feels so daunting, it is never as bad as you think. Thinking of school as a way to make friends and build confidence makes it seems more enjoyable.
How Schools Can Help:
Through insightful interviews, the parent’s have shared their experiences with school.
Talia stressed how important it is for schools to make small changes which make a massive difference to their child’s wellbeing. Having play therapy in school fosters a safe space and provides an outlet for when things get too much. To encourage positive thinking for school, making time at the start of the day to do colouring creates a calm and therapeutic space. This has resulted in the school experience being more positive.
Kellie hopes that schools and parents facilitate open and honest conversations to support their children. Building relationships in school and working together as a team ensures that you can do the best for your child.
Strategies for Support:
Having a solid support system is so important. It serves as the backbone, contributing to emotional well-being, reinforcing a sense of community enabling you to positively grow.
We have selected a list of effective strategies that have resulted in progress and positive change:
Having a support network: Connecting with family, friends, schools, and the wider community is important for both you and your child’s mental wellbeing.
Prioritising self-care: Rachel emphasised that looking after yourself will reflect onto your child.
Consistent routines: Talia favours positive reinforcement and creating routine to ease their child’s anxieties.
Take your time: Daisy reflects on how overcoming anxiety is not a quick fix. Take small steps and celebrate small victories.
Advice for Parents and Children:
For Parents:
“I learnt that asking people for help was one of the best things I could do”
“Having someone advocate for my child has helped massively”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself”
“Take the time to realise that you are doing enough”
“Look after yourself, have a good support network”
“Prioritise positive self-care”
“Find out what works best for your children”
“Remember this season will pass”
“Lots of people forget to look after themselves, do thing that fill you up”
For Children:
“Don’t put yourself down for having a mental illness”
“It will be ok; school can give you so many opportunities”
“I tried to think about what I could do if I went into school, if I could overcome this anxiety, and I did it”
“Recognise the small improvements”
By Pollyanna Rees