Simple tips for parents and kids to connect
TORONTO , Nov. 15, 2012 /CNW/ -The proverb that “it takes a village to raise a child” may not be far from the truth when helping kids struggling with their mental health. As a parent, teacher or friend of a young person dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, bullying, or other form of mental health challenges, one of the most important things you can do to support them is connect them with others, helping them to build a circle of trust.
“At Kids Help Phone, kids often turn to us because they need help, but they don’t want to worry their parents,” said Sharon Wood , president & CEO, Kids Help Phone, and a mother to two teenagers. “As a parent, we may feel that our kids should confide in us about everything. But in reminding them that support can come from a variety of sources including: family, friends, neighbours, and organizations like Kids Help Phone, we are helping our children become independent and resourceful.”
According to the 2012 RBC Children’s Mental Health poll, 63 per cent of parents would like to think that their child would approach them about mental health issues but according to a companion poll of youth who visited the Kids Help Phone website, children are more inclined to confide in their friends (50%), rather than a mother (30 per cent), a health professional (22 per cent) or a father (10 per cent).
“Many parents and children don’t discuss mental health concerns,” said Dr. Ian Manion , psychologist, executive director of the Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health. “Kids who suffer in silence can obsess over simple issues that can quickly become unmanageable. Parents who have regular conversations with their children about feelings and behaviour are more likely to identify potential concerns early.”
The RBC poll found that one significant barrier to early intervention, diagnosis and treatment of a child’s mental health issue may be perceived stigma. An overwhelming majority of parents agree that children with a mental health condition are stigmatized among their peers (84 per cent) or among adults (76 per cent).
Mental health is not a one-time discussion; conversations between children and parents should evolve and grow. Nobody should have to struggle in silence. Here are some simple tips to keeping an open dialogue with your kids and talking about mental health.
Three simple tips for parents
- Encourage openness: Encourage your child to come to you with issues, and remind them that nothing they could say would make you love them less; explicitly tell them that you’re always ready to hear what is going on in their lives.
- Connect them with resources: Accept that your child may not turn to you with every issue they face. Let them know that there are other adults they can trust, like teachers, guidance counsellors, doctors and places like Kids Help Phone where they can go for help.
- Set a good example: It’s okay to admit you’re feeling tired, grumpy, or upset after work, it is important for kids to understand that everyone goes through tough times, even parents.
Three simple tips for kids
- Strong feelings are okay: Every one has intense feelings sometimes. Even if you don’t feel comfortable going to your parents right away, there are people available to help. Teachers, counsellors, doctors and places like Kids Help Phone are always there.
- There are ways to manage your feelings: Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength and resourcefulness. Reach out to the person you think is best able to help, and tell them how you want to be supported
- .Keep talking until somebody listens: It is very frustrating to feel as if people (especially your parents) do not understand what you are saying. Do not let that frustration stop you from talking to someone else, until you feel heard and supported.
For the child who is not ready to talk, a wealth of kid-friendly, age appropriate information is available at kidshelpphone.ca, Kid’s Help Phone’s interactive website. By visiting the site with the young people in their lives, parents and teachers can start a conversation on the challenges youth are facing today, and together get to know the resources and tips that are clinically endorsed by Canada’s leading online and phone counselling service for youth.
The RBC poll showed that while parents generally agree that the biggest issue facing children with mental illness is not stigma but access to information and services, most still believe that the stigma is significant enough to warrant a way to access information on the subject anonymously.
“Kids Help Phone is available to all young people in Canada , no matter the situation, question or concern, online, by phone and, in a limited pilot service, by live chat on computers and smartphones,” added Wood. “Kids turn to us because they know we don’t ask for their name, we don’t trace calls or IP addresses. They can say whatever is on their mind, we won’t judge and we’ll always help them find a solution that works for them.”
RBC Foundation’s $1 million investment in Kids Help Phone is the largest gift ever by the Foundation in support of child and youth mental health in Canada . RBC Foundation’s support represents an early, important contribution to the new funding necessary to build live chat counselling to a full national service, available free of charge to young people in distress anywhere in Canada .
About Kids Help Phone Since 1989, Kids Help Phone has been Canada’s leading online and phone counselling service for youth. It’s free, it’s anonymous and confidential, and it’s available any time of the day or night, 365 days a year in English and in French. Professional counsellors support the mental health and well-being of young people, ages five to 20, by providing one-on-one counselling, information and resources. As a community-based national charity, Kids Help Phone receives no core government funding and relies on community and corporate support to fund its essential and vital service.
Like us on Facebook[1].com/kidshelpphone | Follow us on Twitter[2] @kidshelpphone | Watch us on YouTube[3].com/kidshelpphone
About the RBC Children’s Mental Health Parents Poll The RBC Children’s Mental Health Parents Poll was completed online from July 19 to August 3, 2012 using Leger Marketing’s online panel, LegerWeb, with a sample of 2,568 Canadian parents with at least one child under the age of 18. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of 1.93 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
Kids Help Phone commissioned a companion poll to the 2012 RBC Children’s Mental Health Parents Poll asking 115 youth visiting the Kids Help Phone website, who they have or would speak to about their mental health concerns.
About the RBC Children’s Mental Health Project The RBC Children’s Mental Health Project is a multi-year philanthropic commitment to programs that reduce stigma, provide early intervention and increase public awareness about children’s mental health issues. The RBC Children’s Mental Health Project is our cornerstone ‘health and wellness’ donations program, and since 2008, we have donated over $12 million to more than 200 community-based and hospital programs across Canada . Sharon Wood and Dr. Ian Manion are advisors to the RBC Children’s Mental Health Project. For more information, visit rbc.com/childrensmentalhealth[4].
SOURCE: RBC
References
- ^ Like us on Facebook (www.kidshelpphone.ca)
- ^ Follow us on Twitter (www.kidshelpphone.ca)
- ^ Watch us on YouTube (www.kidshelpphone.ca)
- ^ rbc.com/childrensmentalhealth (www.rbc.com)
Resources:
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Health Tips And Vitamins I Should Take Being A Growing Teen? Anyone recommend any daily vitamins i should take? please provide the store i can get em at and the price. what it does and all the details please. also any random health tips would be appreciated. thanks.
A multi vitamin suh as centrum is good. Flaxseed oil capsules are great as well.
How Can I Get Healthy? -Health Tips? This year, I made it a point to become healthy. I have lost some weight and got rid of some acne.
I really want to be healthy, and make sure that I look healthy.
Can you give me some all over health tips?
Im a teen girl by the way.
Hey,
The best advice I can give you is exercise daily and eat well. Eat at least 5 portions of fruit or vegetables a day. Try to cut out as much sugar and snacks as you can manage. Drink plenty of water. Exercise for about 30 minutes a day, remember this does not have to be running a million miles and lifting 10 ton weights. Walking is an excellent form of exercise and is great because you can walk briskly around shops whilst looking at really cute outfits!
I hope this helps!
What Are Your Best Tips To Live A Healthy Life? Health tips in any area would be great. Especially what foods to eat, fitness tips, avoiding colds or being sick, and being happier.
Sorry it’s so broad, but I just wanted some really good tips or secrets, or anything. Thanks!
One has to be happy, not worry about everything little thing that goes wrong, think of others who have life a lot worse or the ones who are gone who whould like to swich with you, but most importantly, you must cleanse your body of toxins and take suppliments.
What Is The Best Health Advice You’ve Given Or Received? We could probably all use a few health tips to live a better life, what do you want to share?
Limit processed foods
try to eat as much natural food as you can such as vegetbales, fruit, brown rice, wholemeal-grain bread, fish, chicken, nuts, and healthy fats.
Not only do you look better but you feel better both body and mind
What Are Some Basic Tips To Give To Kids About Staying Healthy? I’m trying to teach my 6 year old nephew how to stay healthy. I need tips from eating right, to being active and maintaining hygiene. Any health tips you expect a 6 yr old kid to understand.
You should tell them to eat lots of smaller meals and to eat slowly so that their bodies are more able to recognize when they are full. Also its important to drink lots of water and fruit juice rather than soda. Try and encourage him to stay away from junk food and eat fruit or something healthy when he wants a snack. Also teach him to be active, that playing sports and running around is good for you as well as fun. Also teach him the basics of hygiene like showering daily and brushing his teeth 3 times a day. Try and make it all fun for him though, as kids respond more to things that they find enjoyable.
Anyone Have Some Good Tips For A College Student Who Wants To Lose About 35 Pounds? Basically Im pretty lethargic due to the studying….I do a fair bit of walking and I dont eat fast food more than a coupla times a month, but I seem to keep gaining weight. Basically I need some health tips or some way of beginning to get rid of the buddha belly.
As a fellow student, I understand your struggle. My butt feels constantly glued to a seat and I don’t have the time or attention for planning healthy meals. It’s tough but I manage to control my weight and even lose weight every now and then with some pretty easy tactics. Since you want to lose it, you’ll have to get serious. I would highly recommend cardio workouts. Depending on your fitness level and personal tastes you could try at home workouts like Tae Bo or you can hit the gym (in which case walking or jogging on the tredmill mixed with weights would be effective). Basically, make yourself workout even when you feel tired from studying or a long day. Next thing you know, you’ll look forward to the stress relief. Remember to watch what you eat and consider counting calories…you may be surprised how much you eat daily! Get sleep. Lack of sleep stresses the bod out and you may compensate with food. And you definitely will have less energy for workouts. GOOD LUCK!
What Good Health Tips For Blood Type O? Can you help me with health tips for blood type o ?
i need information like what the best food, best sport, and other..
FOOD:
Owner blood group O is worth fortunate, especially for those who like meat. They can eat as much meat, except processed meat. But this blood group also must compensate by eating more vegetables, too. It may also eat
type of vegetable oil, olive oil and fresh fruit. What must be avoided or restricted are: cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, mustard greens, sprouts, eggplant, mushrooms and potatoes.
Disease-prone:
Here’s disease is often found in people blood O
– Diabetes,
– Intestinal and digestive disorders,
– Poor blood circulation,
– Back pain and spinal cord,
– Obesity,
– High cholesterol levels,
– High blood pressure,
– High uric acid levels,
– Cancer,
– Gout,
– Heart attack,
– Clogged arteries.
Defining characteristics:
-Very strong immune system
-Stress can be responded premises of physical activity
-Easy to adapt to a variety of foods in an environment that is occupied
-Not suitable on a diet
-It is advisable to consume foods high in protein and low in carbohydrates like: meat, fruit, fish, and vegetables.
Type of sport:
Doing aerobic exercise that moves a lot and fast (high impact), it could be physical exercise like running and martial arts.
Here are tips on matters involving the O blood type diet:
Very useful: Cows, buffaloes, goats, deer, liver / heart, cod, shark fish, yellow tail fish
Neutral: goldfish, eels, lobster, tuna, sardines, shrimp. eggs, butter, Tempe, tofu, soy milk, wheat, rice
Abstinence: pork meat, squid, cuttlefish, clams, frogs, octopus, quail, ice cream, cheese, cow milk, yoghurt’s
I only get this information from:
http://all-things-just-4u.blogspot.com/2011/01/health-tips-for-blood-type-o.html
There is also information for other blood group,
for blood group A:
http://all-things-just-4u.blogspot.com/2011/01/health-tips-for-blood-type.html
for blood group B:
http://all-things-just-4u.blogspot.com/2011/01/health-tips-for-blood-type-b.html
for blood group AB:
http://all-things-just-4u.blogspot.com/2011/01/health-tips-for-blood-type-ab.html
hopefully can be useful ..