How Parents Can Promote Their Children and Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being

Thrive • May 05, 2022

By Thrive Sacramento Psychiatrist Jaime Avra Ley, M.D.

ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Children and adolescents can experience the same mental and behavioral health struggles as mature age groups. Just as with adults, anxiety and depression are the most prevalent mental and behavioral health conditions that youths face. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , 15 to 20% of youths in the United States have an anxiety disorder and 1 in 5 youths will experience a major depressive disorder (MDD) by the time they turn 18.

As their developmental stages evolve, children and adolescents may manifest the symptoms of anxiety and depression in different ways than adults. Although anxiety and depression are two separate conditions, depressive symptoms can often result from burn-out associated with continued anxiety, especially in youths. In other words, anxiety is often the primary mental health struggle for youths, while symptoms of depression typically stem from the exhaustion of overworking the biological stress system brought on by anxiety.

FOSTERING A SENSE OF SAFETY FOR MENTAL WELL-BEING

Most children and adolescents function within multiple social systems such as their families, schools, and extracurricular activities. These systems can potentially be a source of support for youths, but they may also present opportunities for the development of mental and behavioral health challenges. Bullying, social media, academic stress, and pressures from certain extracurricular activities such as competitive sports can negatively influence the well-being of children and adolescents.

With that in mind, one of the most important things parents can do throughout their children’s development is to provide them with a sense of safety that transcends these social spheres. By being consistently available and attuned to the physical and emotional needs of their children, parents can make their children feel safe, secure, and supported.

Depending on the circumstances, creating a sense of safety for children and adolescents can require seemingly conflicting behaviors from parents. Sometimes, youths need to feel protected and nurtured at home, such as after experiencing difficult situations with peers. Other times, children and adolescents gain a sense of safety when parents express confidence in their abilities to handle challenges on their own. When youths can trust that their family will be there to comfort them and encourage their independence as needed, their stress systems can rest, mitigating their risk of developing anxiety and depression.

Additionally, making children and adolescents feel safe promotes their self-esteem . When youths can rely on their parents to be regularly attentive to their needs, they recognize their inner worth. When parents express their belief in their children’s abilities while imparting that any mistakes are part of the growth process, children learn that they’re enough. Both narratives provide a foundation for healthy self-esteem.

HOW PARENTS CAN CREATE TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Some practical ways for parents to foster healthy senses of safety and self-esteem are:

Ask questions: Although seemingly simple, the best way for parents to remain in tune with the needs of their children is to inquire about what they’re thinking and feeling. Doing so in a comfortable environment and collected manner can encourage youths to open up.
Normalize and validate emotions: Parents may still need to implement limits, but by initially allowing their children to feel seen and heard without judgment, they can calm their stress systems and help eliminate any shame. In order to lead by example, parents can practice their own emotional regulation skills, while also honestly opening up to their children as appropriate.
Give praise and encouragement as well as mindful feedback: Parents should provide positive recognition not only when their children are making good choices, but also when they’re trying something new, getting out of their comfort zones, and persevering through challenges. Constructive feedback, rather than criticism or judgment, can also help foster healthy development.
Seek support resources: When necessary, parents should advocate for more support from their children’s schools. Additionally, if a child’s mental health struggles begin to interfere with their daily functioning, parents should consider seeking professional guidance.

MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Through outpatient therapy, Thrive’s specialists can help youths through mental and behavioral health challenges by guiding them in processing their emotions and teaching them healthy coping strategies. Our clinicians also offer family therapy and parental guidance for well-rounded support that promotes comprehensive healing throughout the entire family. Reach out to learn more about our therapeutic services for children, adolescents, parents, and families.

About the Author

Thrive Reno Psychiatrist Jaime Avra Ley, M.D.

Born and raised in Nevada, Dr. Jaime Avra Ley earned her doctorate in medicine at the University of Nevada, Reno Medical School where she also completed a residency in adult psychiatry and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry. As an established and esteemed psychiatrist, Dr. Ley specializes in working with children and adolescents.

Dr. Ley considers comprehensive wellness to be inclusive of the health of one’s relationship with themself and others. She is passionate about addressing mental health barriers that may interfere with one’s ability to live authentically and reach their innate potential. Dr. Ley believes a multidisciplinary approach to care increases the efficacy of treatment for lasting results and is dedicated to supporting the various aspects of an individual’s well-being by providing diagnoses and medication management as appropriate.

At Thrive Wellness Sacramento, Dr. Ley enjoys working alongside a diverse treatment team of compassionate clinical colleagues to help individuals and families on their path to healing.

The post How Parents Can Promote Their Children and Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being first appeared on Thrive Wellness.

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Clean House, Healthy Mind: Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health

By Sage Tippie • 23 Apr, 2024

Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health Spring is a time of new beginnings, change, and transitions, including in our homes. With the warmer weather kicking motivation into high gear, Spring can be a prime time to do a deep clean. Not only is a clean space aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, but it can also help to improve your mental health. Learn about how tidying up your space can also tidy up your thoughts below along with tips for cleaning when you’re struggling with your mental health. 4 Reasons Why Cleaning is Beneficial to Mental health 1.Decreased Stress Not only does an uncluttered space provide a sense of calm, but the physical act of cleaning can release feel-good endorphins, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. As you cross tasks off your checklist, your body also releases Dopamine. Also known as the “happy hormone”, Dopamine provides a sense of accomplishment and pride that can promote motivation in other areas of our lives. 2. Improved Focus Studies have shown that an uncluttered space can also lead to an uncluttered mind. Your focus can be drawn away from important tasks by a chaotic, messy space. Research has also shown a connection between procrastination and clutter, as an unwillingness to tackle larger chores like cleaning can translate over into various areas of our lives. By keeping your space tidy, it can inspire you to stay on top of other major tasks like work and school assignments. 3. Regulated Emotions According to this 2015 study , cleaning can function as a practice in mindfulness, providing an increased sense of calm and inspiration. Slowing down while cleaning gives you room to relax and free your mind of burdens, stressors, and irritants that can affect your mental health. Cleaning can even be considered a practice of self-care as the action helps you to connect with yourself and the outcome allows you to better enjoy your own space. 4. Sense of Order and Control When experiencing mental health struggles, people may feel a lack of control over their lives and emotions. Cleaning even small areas of the home can provide an increased sense of order and control as you cross tasks off your to-do list. Through realizing your own power by simply completing minor tasks like cleaning, it can reaffirm your ability to do more. 10 Tips for Cleaning When Struggling with Mental Health Mental health struggles and disorders commonly create barriers to one’s ability to clean and properly practice personal hygiene. Although these behaviors are normal side effects of mental health disorders, we want to work to aid our clients in cleaning to the best of their ability even in difficult times. Below, Thrive Wellness occupational therapist Meadow Deason shares some helpful tips she gives to clients when they struggle with cleaning due to mental health conditions: 1.Ask For Help Having support to clean can make a huge difference. Do the cleaning with the person helping you and have them hold you accountable. 2. Don't Wait for Motivation Motivation might not come before action, but it can build as you begin to see the results of your efforts. 3. Start Small Start with one area or one task and go from there. For example, concentrate on your bedroom first and then move on to the living room and bathroom. 4. Do Something Daily Even if you do only one small cleaning task a day, doing that one task creates momentum and prevents small tasks from building up and becoming overwhelming. 5. Use Sensory Modulation Change your environment by playing music, adjusting the lighting, or using aromatherapy. This can help to put you in a new headspace for cleaning. 6. Start with "High Impact" Tasks Start with more intensive or all-over cleaning tasks such as picking up clutter or doing the dishes. The visual "noise" of some tasks makes a large impact on the entire space, building motivation to continue cleaning. 7. Make a To-Do List Write a detailed to-do list of tasks and cross them off as you go. Physically marking down what you’ve accomplished can promote increased motivation. 8. Reward Yourself Set up a reward system where you reward yourself with a favorite activity or item when you complete a task as an incentive to clean. 9. Use the Rocket Method Don't think about it, just choose a task, countdown from five or ten and then start. This can help you to avoid potential anxiety and dread that can prevent you from cleaning. 10. Gamify Tasks Make up a game for your tasks or time yourself to promote increased engagement in cleaning. Your ability to complete tasks can be affected by a multitude of different factors and conditions including OCD , anxiety, depression , ADHD , and more. If you are struggling with motivation due to your mental health, help is here at Thrive Wellness.

child getting bandaid from doctor while mother smiles

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