incredible-marketing Arrow

woman-head-up-breathing-airMental illness can engulf an entire life if left untreated. Adults find themselves struggling to maintain and manage their mental illness every single day. When we have a child in our lives who we see struggling with mental illness, it can be scary and stressful. We want to take away their pain, their hardship, and their struggles. We want to make it so that they can lead stress-free and happy lives. We often do not even realize that what we are saying or doing may cause more harm than good. Here are a few things to avoid saying to a child who may be struggling with mental illness.

“That’s Not Normal”

Telling a child that what they are experiencing is not normal can be very damaging. What you consider normal is probably different than what someone else thinks of as normal. There is no set normal in life. Help your child understand that they are unlike anyone else and that they have unique experiences. Embrace being different because our uniqueness is part of what makes us unique.

“You’ll Grow Out of It”

Try to avoid making statements about outgrowing feelings or emotions. These sorts of comments have the effect of minimizing your child’s feelings. Helping your child to stay in the moment may be more beneficial. Acknowledge what your child feels in the moment, and help your child learn the skills needed to face and work through those emotions.

“Don’t Talk About This to Anyone Else”

If you tell a young person not to talk about what they are experiencing to others, it can instill a sense of shame connected to those feelings. Mental health needs to be talked about. A young person experiencing addiction, trauma, or mental health issues may feel isolated from their peers. They will probably feel as if no one understands what they are going through. Help your child understand that this is not true.

As a parent or loved one of a child who has a mental illness, it can be hard to watch. We want to take away their pain and handle everything for them. Often, we will not know what to say or do to help them, especially if we have never experienced mental illness ourselves. Here at The Guest House, we understand that addiction, trauma, and mental illness can affect everyone in the family. Parents can best help their children when they are at their best, caring for their own mental health needs. Call us today to learn more about how we can help your family at (855) 483-7800.