Talking about mental health with young people

Mental health needs to be part of the conversation. Collectively across the country we are working to create positive change around mental health and remove the stigma for many who are struggling. 

It’s one thing to share memes and gifs and like or comment on a social post — it’s a whole other ballgame to sit down with a young person and actually have a conversation about mental health.

So let’s talk about it, and hopefully give you a few tips on how to start talking about mental health with the children and youth in our lives. 

Young people are struggling with their mental health

First, it’s important to realize how prevalent mental health conditions are in Canada. In fact, 20 per cent of young people (under 18) have a diagnosable mental health condition. This can include everything from anxiety and depression to substance use, eating disorders and more. 

If you’re not sure if your child has a mental health problem, start by watching their behaviour. Are they thinking differently? Acting differently? Struggling to concentrate? Whether they are experiencing changes in how they think, feel or behave, they can all be signs of a mental health challenge.

Where to begin? Sometimes it starts with a question. You’ll notice in a lot of our articles, we’re asking questions. These are designed to give you, the reader, the opportunity to consider an honest answer and find the right path forward for you.

When it comes to mental health with our youth, the same applies. Let’s engage them in a conversation — it starts with some open-ended questions. We love the collection below from YoungMinds out of the UK. 

Not only can asking questions help you learn and understand, but the simple act of really listening to the answer from your child can go a long way to re-establishing a solid foundation of trust to move forward in the mental health space.

Looking for more? The Canadian Paediatric Society has a great video on the importance of promoting positive mental health and the role you can plan in what you say, do and the environment you create at home.