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Talking to kids about mental illness is hard?so hard that many of us put it off indefinitely, not wanting to expose them to things like depression or overwhelming anxiety when they?re so young and innocent. But rather than keeping kids in the dark, it?s essential to learn how to talk about mental health with them to help them feel comfortable talking about their own worries and end the stigma before it begins.
?We know it is very important to talk openly and honestly to children about mental health,? says Jill Dennison, a mental health promotion and resilience facilitator at the Canadian Mental Health Association, based in Hamilton, Ont. She explains that kids should understand that mental health means having a balance in life, and this balance looks different for everyone. Learning about mental health at a young age can help them find their own equilibrium and recognize things in their lives that throw them out of balance. Dennison emphasizes the need to start with conversations about mental health, not mental illness. ?Mental health affects us all, no matter our age. If we have a brain, we have mental health and that is often how we discuss it with children.? Here are some expert tips to help you get the conversation going.
Bringing it up

If you?re feeling a little unsure about how to bring up the topic with your kids, try to find a conversation starter from everyday life. A movie that features a character with mental health challenges or a celebrity w...