How to talk about mental health with children and teenagers!

Abstract

Talking about mental health with children and adolescents is essential to help them understand their emotions and know when to seek help. Therefore, the Brazilian Psychiatric Association saw the need to create a booklet with guidelines for parents and guardians to talk about mental health with their children and adolescents. In childhood, conversations about topics related to mental illness are still rarely discussed, but we believe it is essential to combat stigma and prejudice, which should not be shameful and are normal situations. It is necessary to create a safe and welcoming environment, where children and adolescents feel comfortable expressing their feelings without fear of judgment and trust their parents and guardians to seek help. This booklet offers practical guidelines for approaching mental health in an appropriate manner and with quality information. In it, you will find tips on how to use appropriate language for each age group, how to create an open environment for dialogue and teach how to normalize different types of feelings. The booklet shows how to encourage children and adolescents to express their feelings and how promoting self-esteem is important, in addition to highlighting the importance of seeking professional help when necessary. Our goal with this booklet is to help parents and guardians have the necessary tools for children and adolescents to develop emotional intelligence, express their emotions, have support to face challenges and seek support when necessary. Together we can promote the emotional well-being of our children and adolescents and prevent suicide.

Antônio Geraldo da Silva
President of ABP