May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Learn How to Talk to Your Child About Mental Health.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

1 in 5 children lives with a serious, diagnosable mental illness. 1 in 5. Think about your child’s friends, their class, and their school. That’s a lot of kids. It’s never been more important to be able to speak openly and honestly about mental health with your children. Fortunately, today’s parents are more open to discussing these important issues than previous generations.

Speaking to your child about mental health is important for every parent, but you may not know exactly what to say or even where to start. As with most essential topics, start at the beginning. Talk with your children about their feelings, focus on their strengths, and most importantly listen to what they have to say.