World Mental Health Day is October 10.
BayCare Kids On Our Sleeves is a healthcare partner of this national movement from the Kids Mental Health Foundation. This movement includes breaking the stigmas associated with mental health, starting conversations with kids about how they feel and providing educational, evidence-informed resources for anyone with a child in their life. These resources promote mental well-being as well as provide information on where to find support if there is a concern, locally and throughout the nation. Become an advocate and support children’s mental health on World Mental Health Day and every day. Here are some ideas of how you can start:
- Listen to kids: Start the conversation and take the time to listen to what they are telling you. Learn about their friends, their interests and what matters most to them. Show them that their thoughts and feelings matter. The more you know about them, the easier it is to advocate for their needs.
- Increase your knowledge and share with others: At BayCare Kids and On Our Sleeves and The Kids Mental Health Foundation you can find resources developed by the experts who care for kids and share evidence-based resources for use at home, school, sports team, etc. where we interact with kids. Sign up for the monthly newsletters to get up to date information and topics relating to what kids face every day and questions they may be asking.
- Normalize mental health: Mental health and physical health together encompass overall health. Healthy minds are of equal importance to healthy bodies. Feeling scared is just as important as feeling sick. Teaching kids that talking about their emotions is a skill that they need to learn is crucial. Explain to them how to name the emotion and relate it to how it makes their body feel. Teaching kids to communicate emotions that worry them, who to talk to if they need helpand how to identify a mental health crisis or emergency are all important skills to learn. For physical emergencies we call 911. For mental health emergencies we call 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
- Be a role model: Kids are always watching and learning from the adults in their lives. Expressing our feelings is important to model to kids and especially in an appropriate way. Talk about how you feel, share experiencesand be an example by showing kindness to others, giving thanks or advocating for others.
- Be an advocate in the community: Spread the word to local organizations, schools, sports teams, local employers, and anyone who will listen about the needs of children in your community. It takes a village to support the kids in our communities. Working together is the best way to break down the stigmas associated with kids’ mental health and to provide resources to as many kids as possible.
- Self-care is important: Being an advocate requires persistence and time. Be sure to maintain your own mental well-being. Balance the work with the things that bring you joy and spend time with those who support you.
Support children’s mental health through partners locally or nationwide by donating your time, expertise, or resources. Giving benefits the recipient and the giver with joy and satisfaction, but can also teach compassion, especially when giving back to kids.
Written by: Christina J. Canody, MD, Medical Director, BayCare Kids
