Teaching Coping Skills For Kids

We’re talking about mental health and teaching coping skills for children with Jenna Bernstein, assistant director of social work at Sheppard Pratt. They are the nation’s largest private, nonprofit provider of mental health services. 

A Pew Research study from January noted that more than being bullied or facing difficulties with drugs/alcohol, parents are most worried about their child experiencing depression or anxiety. 

The CDC’s recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey reflects a worsening of mental health trends among high school girls over the past decade. Nearly 1 in 3 high school girls report feeling anxious and having a negative view of themselves. They are constantly worried and comparing themselves to their peers. 

Coping Skills for Kids

Parents should start modeling positive behaviors to their children at an early age. If parents are angry it’s ok to say they are angry, and then model a behavior to reduce their anger. 

Foster connections with kids without making direct eye contact. Try talking while you are driving in a car. Play video games side-by-side, go fishing. If a child hangs their head while trying to have a conversation with you, don’t make it mandatory that they have to look you in the eye. It was probably hard enough to start the conversation, don’t make it harder by forcing eye contact. 

When a child shares their feelings, they are often looking for validation, not a quick fix from an adult. After making sure to understand their feelings an adult can then ask if there is anything they can do to help. 

When to get help

If parents see a lot of self-blame, guilt, loss in interest in favorite activities, loss of appetite, and especially self harm or aggression it’s time to seek help. 

Sheppard Pratt Mental Health Care Finder

https://www.sheppardpratt.org/care-finder/outpatient-mental-health-centers/

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