Talking about mental health with children is important. It helps them understand that feelings are normal and teaches them ways to manage stress and express emotions. These talks create a safe space for kids to share feelings without feeling judged, giving them confidence as they grow. Here are a few conversation starters to try.
- “How are you feeling today? Sometimes we have different emotions, and that’s okay.”
- “Has anything happened recently that made you feel happy, sad, or worried?”
- “When you feel upset or stressed, what helps you feel better?”
- “Have you ever felt like your mind is full of thoughts? It’s normal to feel that way sometimes.”
- “Have you noticed changes in your mood or energy lately? It’s common to have ups and downs.”
- “Who would you talk to if you’re feeling really sad or anxious?”
- “Do you know what ‘mental health’ means? It’s about how we think, feel, and handle things around us.”
- “Do you have any questions about feelings, emotions, or mental health that you’d like to ask?”
- “I’m here to listen. If there’s anything you want to talk about, I’m ready to listen.”
- “Taking care of our minds is important. What do you think we can do to feel good mentally?”
You can also show children how to talk about mental health by talking about your own feelings and emotions. For example, saying something like, “I feel a little sad today. I’ve been missing your grandma. Do you feel like that sometimes?” This shows kids it’s okay to talk about feelings and that they are not alone in feeling lots of different emotions.
These conversation starters are meant to help start a chat about feelings and mental health in a comfortable and open way. Feel free to use them to encourage discussions about emotions and well-being with your child.