HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT A , WOO S WORLD

MENTAL HEALTH Why is a rainbow curved? Why aren’t left-handers extinct? The answers to these and many other questions can be found in Eddie Woo’s new book

fter years of being surrounded by stigma, mental health has now been brought out of the shadows and into the light. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry have spoken openly about the need for greater understanding around mental health issues, while in Australia, the government this year pledged an injection of $100 million into school mental health programs and new Headspace centres.

But it’s also important for parents to start conversations with their kids about mental health. So, what can you do?

HELP THEM TO DISCUSS THEIR FEELINGS From a young age, children need to learn how to identify their feelings and you can help by describing your feelings and asking them about theirs. How does an emotion feel in their body? Do they have butterflies? When they describe how they’re feeling, acknowledge what they’ve said, try to avoid problem-solving and let them know different emotions are normal. As for managing their emotions, Queensland Health suggests kids express themselves through drawing and calm themselves by listening to music, slowing breathing, or exercise.

COMPARE MENTAL WITH PHYSICAL ILLNESS Let them know that just as the body can become sick, so can the mind, and that mental illnesses are just as real as physical illnesses such as breaking a limb or suffering from asthma.

BE HONEST, BUT NOT INTENSE Kids need to know it’s OK to discuss mental illness so if a member of the family is suffering give them age-appropriate information and be clear that it’s not something to be ashamed of.

USE REAL LIFE EXAMPLES Books about mental health issues such as Michael Rosen’s Sad Book and The Princess and the Fog by Lloyd Jones can help younger children understand depression and anxiety. For older kids, use sporting heroes or celebrities such as Miley Cyrus and Zayn Malik to illustrate that even very successful people struggle with mental illness.

REASSURE THEM IT’S NOT THEIR FAULT Whether it’s a family member or they themselves who are dealing with mental illness, let kids know no-one’s to blame and that it’s a disease from which people recover with the right treatment. Acknowledge if things have changed: “Daddy isn’t acting this way because of anything we’ve done. He’s unwell.”

TELL THEM IT’S IMPORTANT TO ASK FOR HELP If they’re worried about a friend encourage them to reach out, even via text. Talk about R U OK? Day and why the same principles should be applied every day. Inform them of the many charities and online resources available including beyondblue, headspace and the Black Dog Institute.

The main source of allergens are in the sebaceous glands in cats and saliva in dogs, which are easily spread on their hair. Consider covering your lounge with a washable cover and regularly vacuuming to reduce the symptoms. “Mould is a huge problem because of its triple effect,” explains Dr van Nunen. “You can be irritated by it, you can be allergic to it, and it makes its own volatile organic compounds (VOCS), which are irritant chemicals in our environments. There are studies that show the higher the level of VOCS in your home, the greater the chance your children will have rhinitis, asthma and eczema.”