Being mentally ill is about as rare as a human turning oxygen into carbon dioxide -- it isn't, at all. More and more, schools have been placing an increased focus on the realities of mental illness and what good mental health should look like. With the internet at the tips of our fingers, it's also incredibly easy for someone to self-diagnose and start trying to figure out why they just don't feel right. But what can we add to this mix to continue helping fight this invisible battle? Parents. Parents need to get involved and get vocal about their children's mental health, here's how.
First, educate yourself. You can be of little to no use to your child if you don't even know where to begin. There are seminars and classes on all things mental health; there's also this really handy tool called the internet with a seemingly never ending stream of material to help you get started. You don't need to run out and get your PhD in psychology but there's no way to talk about these things if you don't have the language to speak in and understand.
Be aware. Your child isn't going to come out and tell you, "I think I'm mentally ill." They are going to show you signs and throw out red flags. Look for fatigue, loss of interest, fidgeting or any behavior that means something is less than right. Yes, people get upset sometimes and even stressed a lot, but it isn't normal to cry almost every day when you're no longer a toddler.
Start a dialogue. Again, your child isn't going to tell you everything you need to know upfront without a little help. You need to help your child understand that you are a safe space for their issues and actually follow through. Ask them how they feel about things, ask about their days. Just talk and make sure they know you're their rock.
Finally, and perhaps most important of anything, advocate for your child -- especially if they are under 18. It doesn't matter if they are five or 25, sometimes your baby doesn't know how to seek out the resources that they need and they may have to rely on you to help them along. The biggest issue with mental illness is stigma and because of that, hundreds of thousands of people are pushing aside something that can be treated and dealt with to live a better life.
