Mental Health Guide for Parents & Caregivers
Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health
Mental health is an important part of a young person’s overall health and well-being. It affects how children and teens think, feel, handle stress, build relationships, make decisions, and navigate everyday challenges.
Growing up naturally comes with emotional ups and downs. School pressures, friendships, family changes, social media, relationships, and worries about the future can all affect how a young person feels.
Parents and caregivers don’t need to have all the answers. One of the most important things you can do is pay attention, keep communication open, and make sure your child knows they can come to you when they need support.
Know the Warning Signs
Every child is different, but significant or lasting changes in behavior, emotions, or daily functioning may be a sign that additional support is needed.
Watch for changes such as:
Persistent sadness, worry, anger, or irritability
Withdrawing from family or friends
Losing interest in activities they once enjoyed
Significant changes in sleeping or eating
Difficulty concentrating
Declining grades or school attendance
Frequent headaches, stomach aches, or other physical complaints
Increased feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
Difficulty handling everyday stress
Increased risk-taking or substance use
Sudden or significant changes in behavior or personality
Talking about death, self-harm, suicide, or hurting someone else
A single behavior doesn’t necessarily mean a young person has a mental health condition. Pay attention to how long changes last, how intense they are, and whether they interfere with school, relationships, activities, or everyday life.
Start the Conversation
You don’t have to wait until you think something is seriously wrong to talk about mental health.
Try asking:
“How have you been feeling lately?”
“What’s been stressing you out the most?”
“How are things going with your friends?”
“Is there anything you’re dealing with that you haven’t known how to talk about?”
“What would make things feel a little easier right now?”
Choose a time when you can give your full attention and listen without distractions.
Listen Before You Fix
When your child shares something difficult, your first instinct may be to solve the problem. Sometimes they need you to listen first.
Try:
“I’m glad you told me.”
“That sounds really difficult.”
“What would be helpful from me right now?”
“We’ll figure this out together.”
Avoid immediately minimizing their feelings, comparing their experience to someone else’s, or telling them they shouldn’t feel the way they do.
Help Build Healthy Coping Skills
Healthy habits don’t prevent every mental health challenge, but they can help young people manage everyday stress and support their overall well-being.
Encourage:
Consistent sleep routines
Regular physical activity
Time outside
Healthy meals and regular eating
Time with supportive friends and family
Hobbies and activities they enjoy
Breaks from schoolwork and other stressors
Healthy ways to express emotions
Relaxation or mindfulness strategies
Asking for help when they need it
Help your child discover which healthy coping strategies work best for them rather than expecting one approach to work for everyone.
Pay Attention to Digital Well-Being
Technology is an important part of young people’s social lives, but social media and constant connectivity can also contribute to stress, comparison, sleep disruption, bullying, and pressure to always be available.
Talk with your child about:
How certain apps or accounts make them feel
Taking breaks from social media
Healthy boundaries around devices
Keeping devices away during sleep when possible
Online bullying or harassment
Comparing themselves to people they see online
Coming to you when something online makes them uncomfortable
Create expectations with your child when possible, rather than making technology conversations only about punishment or restriction.
Most importantly, make sure your child knows that asking for help with something that happened online won’t automatically result in losing their device.
Help Your Child Build a Support System
Parents don’t have to be their child’s only source of support.
Help your child identify other safe adults, such as:
Teachers
School counselors or social workers
Coaches
School nurses
Family members
Youth leaders
Healthcare providers
Mental health professionals
Having several safe adults gives young people more options when they need help.
When to Seek Professional Help
Consider talking with your child’s healthcare provider or a mental health professional when emotional or behavioral changes:
Continue for an extended period
Become more intense
Interfere with school or attendance
Affect friendships or family relationships
Prevent your child from participating in normal activities
Make everyday responsibilities difficult
Cause significant distress for your child
Raise concerns about your child’s safety
You don’t need to wait for a crisis before seeking support.
Your child’s pediatrician or primary care provider can be a good place to start and can help determine whether additional evaluation or mental health services may be helpful.
If Your Child Talks About Suicide or Self-Harm
Always take statements about suicide or self-harm seriously.
If you’re concerned, ask directly whether your child is thinking about hurting themselves or suicide. Asking the question does not put the idea in someone’s head and can create an opportunity for them to tell you what they’re experiencing.
Listen calmly and without judgment.
If your child is in immediate danger or has attempted to hurt themselves, seek emergency medical assistance immediately.
For crisis support in the United States, call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
If there is immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Keep the Conversation Going
Mental health shouldn’t be a conversation families have only when something is wrong.
Regularly checking in about stress, emotions, friendships, relationships, school, and coping helps make these conversations feel normal. It also lets your child know they don’t have to wait for a crisis before coming to you.
You don’t need the perfect words or all the answers.
Listen.
Take concerns seriously.
Keep communication open.
Model healthy coping.
Connect your child with support when needed.
A safe, supportive adult can make an important difference in a young person’s life.
HELPFUL Resources
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free, confidential crisis support available 24/7.
Call or text: 988
NAMI
Information for families about mental health conditions, warning signs, treatment, and supporting a loved one.
Visit: nami.org
HealthyChildren.org
Mental and behavioral health information for parents from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Visit: healthychildren.org
KidsHealth
Information for parents about children’s and teens’ emotions, behaviors, stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health topics.
Visit: kidshealth.org
Mental Health America
Mental health education, screening tools, and information about finding support.
Visit: mhanational.org
SAMHSA
Information and resources for mental health, substance use, treatment, and finding support.
Visit: samhsa.gov