The theme for this Children’s Mental Health Week is ‘This is My Place’ aimed at helping children and young people feel that they belong.
To create inclusive and nurturing environments, it is important to establish safe environments where children feel safe to share their feelings, experiences, worries, or concerns and for these to be taken seriously.
We recognise that the types of legal matters we handle can often involve children, for example, a child may be anxious about a house move and what this change can bring, such as starting a new school and making new friends, or just being away from familiarity. A breakdown in relationship (such as divorce) can also involve children, and this can bring a sense of loss, anger, and fear for children. Similarly, children can suffer from anxiety and emotional distress when their parent or another close relative has suffered a serious accident/injury. Bereavement is another life event that can cause significant feelings in children, so it is vital that we all support children and young people to feel safe, heard, and included day-to-day.
Often, parents and carers will be navigating their own stress, anxiety, uncertainty, and emotions when going through these life changes, so it can be difficult to manage, but it is important to create spaces where children and young people can express their emotions, ask questions, and share their concerns. It is also important for parents/carers to be honest with children about what is going on and explain it in simple terms, which are age-appropriate so children can understand and ease any concerns or worries they have. Open communication and reassurance are therefore key, try:
- Creating safe spaces for sharing feelings.
- Listening to any concerns or questions and take what they say seriously.
- Validate their feelings, by letting them know it is okay to feel sad, worried, angry etc.
- Encouraging positive reinforcement and celebrating their successes.
- Encouraging their interests and building positive routines/habits.
- Utilising support systems, e.g. other family members, friends, teachers, or community groups.
We would encourage parents, carers, and young people to check out different resources available:
