PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) - World Mental Health Day aims to raise awareness of the struggles of issues such as anxiety, stress, and grief.
According to the National Library for Medicine, World Mental Health Day was first recognized on Oct. 10, 1992 as a result of a global advocacy and awareness program started by the World Federation for Mental Health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found in a 2023 study that 40% of students had persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. 20% of students seriously considered attempting suicide and nearly 9% attempted suicide.
They also found feelings of distress were more common among female students, LGBTQ+ students, and students across racial and ethnic groups. In 2023, Asian and White students were less likely to attempt suicide than students of other races and ethnicities.
They warn poor mental health in adolescence often go hand-in-hand with other health and behavioral risks like increased risk of drug use, experiencing violence, and higher risk sexual behaviors that can lead to HIV, STDs, and unintended pregnancy.
The organization Save the Children encourages parents and caregivers to check in on their children.
They provided some tips to help children navigate anxiety, hopelessness, and grief:
Have regular check-ins during evening or morning routines and ask open-ended questions while doing activities together. Daily "pulse checks" with your child can also provide regular opportunities to reinforce all the good things they can look forward to tomorrow.
Create a feeling of safety between you and your child and in your home. They will feel safe talking with you when you have the tough conversations.
Talk through any small or big changes that are coming in their lives - their first day of kindergarten, an older sibling going to college or getting a shot at the doctor. This will let them know what to anticipate, which can help ease worry or anxiety. While doing this, it may also be helpful to include ways your child can make decisions and have some control.
Tell them it is okay to feel and express their emotions. By allowing them to identify and name their feelings, you can help them develop coping skills, while also normalizing the emotions in the context of the situation.
Be honest about the facts, use language and terms your child understands, acknowledge how hard, sad, or frustrating what they are going through must be, provide physical comfort and come up with solutions together.
When parents support their own needs, they will be better able to support the needs of their children. This includes maintaining a routine for yourself - including good eating, sleeping, and physical activity patterns - regularly "pulse checking" your own feelings and emotions, and talking to another trusted adult about how you are feeling.
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