Even though the public discourse around mental wellbeing has come a long way, people facing mental health issues still have to grapple with much stigma today. Mental health remains an uncomfortable topic of discussion for many of us, often resulting in those suffering alone in silence to delay seeking treatment. But, as the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated, bringing the mental health conversation into the light has arguably never been more important than it is today.
Mental illness does not discriminate based on age: it can equally affect the very old, very young, and everyone else in between. It affects more people across the course of their lives, and more often, than we might think. What this means for parents is that, while we obviously hope our children will always be carefree and happy, we must also be prepared to give them love and support in the appropriate manner should the need arise.
How do parents do this? Here are 3 ways you can help your child manage their mental wellness to boost confidence and build resilience as he or she manages their day-to-day activities.
1) Listen Actively
Always seek to listen, observe, and understand on your child’s terms, not judge him or her on yours. Given the stigma surrounding mental health issues, most parents are likely to either not know enough or, worse, to jump to misguided and damaging conclusions about their children’s behaviour. For example, a teenager who flatly refuses to get out of bed for school every morning might be struggling with something more serious than a rebellious streak or lack of motivation. Is he or she avoiding school for a reason? Does he or she get out of bed for other activities?
Does he or she actually have control over the behaviour? Has this been happening for an extended period of time? It can be frightening and bewildering for parents when a child inexplicably starts acting out in a self-sabotaging manner, but the important thing to remember is that your child is probably even more frightened and confused than you are.
In these moments, he or she needs your unconditional love and support more than ever. Reach out to him or her, acknowledge that talking about mental health issues can be difficult, but reassure your child that you will always be there to listen. Let your child know that how they feel is always important to you.
2) Be Informed
To best help your child, you also need to educate yourself on common mental disorders faced by youth, their symptoms, and what it is like to live with them. While you can of course seek advice from a mental health specialist, the only problem with that option is that it is reactive rather than preventive.
Think of it this way: the more you learn about mental health and disorders now, the more likely you will be able to spot the signs ahead of time and take appropriate action.
There are many helpful resources online just a Google search away that can shed light on what you and your child are going through and make the both of you feel less alone. As with anything else you read on the Internet, learn to distinguish between hard facts by cross-checking the list of depression symptoms across multiple sources. Someone’s experience shared on Reddit may not be representative of yours or your child.
It is critical that parents continue to keep an open mind as they learn more about mental health issues - there are more than 200 classified mental disorders, many more combinations in which these can occur together, and even more ways mental disorders can manifest in people who each have their unique personalities and individual life circumstances. At times telling where the mental disorder ends and one’s personality begins can also be difficult, another reason why parents should approach the topic of mental health with compassion and love.
3) Be Open to Seeking Additional Help
Be open to seeking treatment. There is only so much support and understanding parents can give when a child is struggling with mental health issues without the intervention of a mental health professional.
Psychiatrists (who diagnose patients and dispense medication) and psychologists (who teach patients ways to cope) form a robust pillar of the medical care system in Singapore that parents should not hesitate to turn to.
While parents and children both often have reservations over getting diagnosed and going onto official records as “someone with mental health issues”, the alternative is far worse. Early intervention can make all the difference in getting children and youth back on track, and to live up to their full potential.
Parents who are willing to educate themselves about mental illness are also better placed to support their children in the coping and recovery process.
Towards a Better Understanding of Mental Health
Dealing with mental illness is a tricky and delicate affair. A lack of understanding can lead to a disastrous cascade of wrong turns, a souring of the parent-child relationship, and needless hand-wringing and unhappiness. But the reverse is also true: being adequately informed about mental health helps parents and guardians to make better judgement calls and decisions at each step of the way for the good of their children.
Beyond Just Academic Excellence
We understand and appreciate that each of our student learns at his or her own pace and has his or her own individual learning style. That is why our teachers work closely with our parents to ensure that each student is given the right amount of support and guidance so that they thrive as they strive in school.
Our in-house team of curriculum specialists also work hard to curate lesson materials that are relevant to their studies in school, and beyond, preparing them for success on their own terms.
The Learning Lab is now at 9 locations. Find a location that suits your needs.
If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may contact us at 6733 8711 or drop us an email at enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg.
The Learning Lab is now at 9 locations. Find a location that suits your needs.
If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may fill in the form below or contact us at 67338711 or email enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg.