South Australian parents encouraged to speak to their children about their mental health

South Australian children are battling increasing mental health issues. Experts say it’s vital we talk to them about it. Here’s how to tackle it.

Parents are being urged to “talk to your kids as often as you can” about their mental health.

While it can be difficult to know how to raise subjects like anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts with young children or teenagers, experts say these conversations are vital.

“I’ve spent time with too many parents who have lost their child to suicide and had no idea why,” said AnglicareSA suicide prevention services manager Michael Traynor.

“Please talk to your kids as often as you can about mental health and how they are feeling.

“It is a challenge these days to be present in the moment but parents and caregivers can be aware of signs and risks that might mean a mental health conversation with their child is needed.”

These can include changes in their mood or sleep patterns, loss of appetite, getting in trouble at school or refusing to go, losing interest in things they used to enjoy or complaining of headaches or a sore stomach when they are physically well.

Centacare Supporting Children and Youth program manager Mark Draper said common challenges included family breakdown, grief and loss, bullying, loneliness, peer pressure, low self-esteem, anxiety and depression.

Mr Draper suggested parents try not to overwhelm their child with too many questions and make time to actively listen to what their child might be trying to tell them.

“Young people often find it difficult to open up about their emotional wellbeing. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach,” he said. “Initially, it can be helpful for parents to support the young person to understand that it is okay to not feel okay, and that sometimes there is no easy fix for a problem.”

David Kelly, one of SA’s three Mental Health Commissioners, acknowledged that “parents are going above and beyond” to help their children and that conversations had evolved.

“One of the things most people know now is that saying stuff like ‘Snap out of it’, ‘Get over it’ or ‘It will be OK’ doesn’t work,” he said.

“I would encourage parents to broaden the range of responses … to think about how their young person might be feeling in a situation and provide points of contact, support and connection.”

Mr Kelly recommended scripts for talking with young people which are available on the websites of organisations like Beyond Blue and Headspace.

Experts say it is integral parents are regularly talking to their children about how they are feeling.

GPs can refer young patients to the statewide Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, which can connect them with specialists.

Women’s and Children’s Hospital nurses are available to make telehealth assessments through the Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service, which is available online from 9am to 9pm every day.

Teenagers 16 and older who are in crisis can present to the new Urgent Mental Health Care Centre in the Adelaide CBD. It opened in March and operates 24/7.

A searchable list of psychologists is available through the Australian Psychological Society’s PsychEngage online portal.

Originally published as South Australian parents encouraged to speak to their children about their mental health