Start the conversation

PARENTS are being reminded that open and honest dialogue with children is more important now than ever before with the pressures of school, family and social media today on R U OK? Day.

Child psychologist Nia Barnes said it was up to parents and caregivers to take the first step.

“Children and teens should know that good mental health involves honest and open dialogue about their feelings with a trusted friend or adult,” she said.

“Early detection and treatment of conditions like depression and anxiety will save a great deal of angst and suffering.

“If we are serious about removing the stigma associated with mental health disorders then we need to teach our children that it is OK to talk about difficult feelings.”

She said the best way to get kids talking about the way they feel is to listen to them without judgment.

“Statements like ‘you’re being silly for feeling like that’ minimise the child’s distress and shuts down communication,” she said.

“The key to effective communication lies in reserving judgment and asking questions that will keep the communication flowing like ‘how long have you been feeling like this? Do you feel like this all of the time? When is it worse? Is there anything that makes you feel better?’ You’d be surprised at how much information can be shared by asking openended, non-judgmental questions.”

She said children’s emotions were heightened in early childhood.

“You may have heard the saying ‘neurons that fire together, wire together’,” Ms Barnes said.

“Teaching children to manage their emotions early helps set up pathways in the brain that will make it easier for them to manage difficult emotions in the future.”