Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental Health and Mental Health Conditions
Everyone has mental health - it is part of our everyday wellbeing and affects how we think, feel, and relate to others. Mental health can change over time and be influenced by things like stress, relationships, and life events.
Children with positive mental health are capable of:
- Effectively coping with stressors: Children learn to manage big feelings by using simple strategies like talking to a trusted adult, taking deep breaths, or having a break when overwhelmed.
- Learning and working well: When children feel supported, they can focus, follow routines, try new things, and persist with challenges at school.
- Contributing to their community: This might include being kind to others, helping at home or in the classroom, sharing, and working cooperatively with peers.
A mental health condition, on the other hand, refers to specific conditions that can be diagnosed by a health professional, such as anxiety, depression, or neuro-development disorders. These conditions may affect a child thoughts, feelings, and behaviour, and sometimes make daily life more challenging.
It’s important to know that mental health and mental health conditions are not the same thing. A child can be having a tough time with their mental health without having a diagnosed condition, and a child with a mental health condition can still experience positive mental health with the right support.
Tips to Support Mental Health and Wellbeing
Just like physical health, your child's mental health can change over time. There will be ups and downs, and that’s a normal part of life. Finding simple ways to help them cope with stress and look after themselves can make a big difference.
Helpful strategies may include:
- Taking time to relax through activities like reading, listening to music, or spending time outdoors
- Body movement through sports, playing, or stretching
- Practising calming techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness
- Writing down thoughts or worries
- Spending time with family and friends
- Enjoyable activities like hobbies, playing with pets, drawing or helping others
If your child needs extra support, reaching out to a trusted adult or health professional can be a helpful step.
Sourced from World Health Organisaton and Health Direct Australia