Supporting Your Child's Mental Health
A guide for parents on recognising and supporting children's mental health.
Recognising the Signs
Children don't always express emotional distress the way adults do. As a parent, you're often the first to notice something isn't right.
Trust your instincts - you know your child. If something feels off, it's worth paying attention to.
Warning Signs in Children
Behavioural changes: Increased tantrums, aggression, or withdrawal.
Sleep problems: Difficulty sleeping, nightmares, or sleeping too much.
Physical complaints: Frequent headaches or stomach aches with no medical cause.
Regression: Returning to younger behaviours like bedwetting or thumb-sucking.
School changes: Declining grades, refusing school, or social difficulties.
Mood changes: Persistent sadness, irritability, or anxiety.
Changes in play: Themes of violence, death, or distress in play.
How to Help
Create safety: Make home a place where feelings can be expressed without judgment.
Listen actively: Give full attention, reflect what they say, avoid jumping to solutions.
Validate emotions: 'It makes sense you feel scared about that.'
Keep routines: Predictability helps anxious children feel secure.
Model healthy coping: Children learn from watching how you handle stress.
Limit exposure: Protect from news or content that may be distressing.
Stay connected: Quality time together builds resilience.
When to Seek Help
Symptoms persist for more than a few weeks.
Your child's functioning at home, school, or with friends is affected.
They express thoughts of hurting themselves or others.
You feel out of your depth or unsure how to help.
Where to get help: GP, school counsellor, CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), or charities like Young Minds (0808 802 5544).
Seeking help early makes a difference. You're not failing - you're being a good parent.