Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS)

Dear Parents and Carers,

Children’s mental health: what it is and why it matters

Mental health is the way children think and feel about themselves and the world around them.

Good mental health is when children feel good about themselves and feel loved, safe and secure in their environment.

Good mental health is an important part of healthy child development. It helps children to:

• understand and manage their emotions
• build healthy relationships
• learn, play and be creative
• adapt to change

• cope with life’s challenges and stresses.

   

Relationships and good mental health for children

A positive relationship with you directly and positively affects your child’s mental health.

Here are ideas to promote your child’s mental health through loving and supportive family relationships:

• Tell your child that you love them, no matter what. You can also show love through your body language and nonverbal communication – for example, by making eye contact, giving your child a hug or smiling at your child.
• Make time each day to talk and listen to your child. If your child wants to talk, try to stop what you’re doing and give them your full attention.
• Enjoy time with your child doing activities they like. This could be reading together, kicking a ball, drawing, playing board games and so on.
• Have regular family meals. Eating together can strengthen your relationship with your child, give your child a sense of stability and connectedness, and have a positive effect on their development. It might also encourage your child to eat well too.
• Work on positive ways to solve problems and manage conflict with your partner, your child and other family members.

Web link: Raising Children Network 

Joe Quinn

Mental Health Wellbeing Leader