“Stay Home, Stay Healthy” Means Mental Health, Too

Amidst this global public health pandemic, there are other—less visible—health issues on the rise: anxiety, depression, loneliness, and traumatic stress. In these uncertain and fearful times, some increased worry is inevitable. However, for many young people, the added components of social isolation, routine disruption, and activity limitation can further contribute to mental health problems. Constantly being at home together can also put a strain on already tense teen and parent relationships.

Fortunately, there are several ways to support positive mental health in your teen or child during this difficult time:

 

Validate and normalize the range of emotions your child or teen is experiencing.

Many kids are having a variety of feelings right now: relief at not having to go to school, fear about the health of themselves and those around them, anger at having to stay at home, and more. When youth share their emotions with you, remind them that it’s okay and even normal to be feeling whatever they’re feeling and to have multiple feelings at once regarding the present situation.

Stay informed, not overwhelmed.

News is more accessible than ever and teens especially are bombarded with a near-constant stream of information from social media. Encourage your teen to limit their news intake: try a daily digest article, a few minutes of television news each evening, or a daily summary podcast. Talk with your teen about what news they’re hearing and help them process current events.

Get outside.

While most outdoor activities are no longer a viable option, a bit of fresh air can make a big difference for youth mental health. Make sure that your family is getting outside at least once a day, even if it’s just sitting on the front porch for five minutes or taking a quick walk up and down the street.

Try a relaxation app.

Many popular mental health and meditation apps are offering additional free services to help people cope during the current public health crisis. Check out Headspace, Simple Habit, Balance, or Sanvello for proven techniques to decrease your distress. 

Encourage safe social connection.

With new guidelines disallowing most in-person interaction, youth rely almost solely on digital communication to stay in touch with friends. Now is not the time to take away your child’s phone or computer if they’re misbehaving, as it may be an important lifeline for them to their closest friends. Support your teen’s use of video calls with friends and work together with parents of your younger children’s friends to set up “video call play dates” or virtual game time between kids.

Create distractions.

Now is a great time to start that project around the house you’ve been meaning to get to all year or for your child to start spending time on that new hobby they’ve been wanting to pick up. Encourage your child to set goals for themselves and to spend time each day doing something they enjoy.

Respect space and invite interaction.

Let’s face it—teens and their parents are not meant to be stuck at home together 24/7. Allow your youth to take the space they’re craving and respect their boundaries. At the same time, now is a valuable opportunity for increased family interaction. Plan a family game or movie night while respecting your teenager’s choice regarding whether or not to participate.

Check in with your youth about their concerns.

Depending on your child’s age and developmental level, they are likely to have a different understanding of the current public health crisis. Ask them frequently about their thoughts and help to clear up any misconceptions they may have about their own risk and safety.

Take care of yourself.

Children and teens are looking to the adults in their life right now for how to think, feel, and act amidst this unprecedented event. Set aside time for yourself and model positive coping skills. Be open with your youth about how you are feeling and remind them that your family is in this together.