The U.S. surgeon general's report on child mental health is bleak. Here is expert advice on how parents can help kids improve their mental health amid pandemic.
Withdrawing from relationships“Parents don’t wonder if they’re seeing red flags — they know something’s wrong,” Gilboa said. “They may not know what to do about it. They might be frustrated. They might hit obstacles.”
“One thing you can do is remind yourself, ‘I am an expert in this kid. So what are the yellow flags that will cause me to wonder?’ And then the litmus test is if you say, ‘I really don’t know,’” Gilboa said. “If your child is surprising you in a good or bad way, get curious. Go to your child and say, ‘I noticed this and I’m wondering what’s going on?’”
This is also a good opportunity to allow children to get some extra Z’s. Studies have shown the importance of sleep for children and teens; oneduring the day. While parents might balk at their children sleeping into the afternoon, it likely will help them feel better equipped to cope.