6 September 2024
Myth or fact: “My child would tell me if they had a mental health issue”?
Would you know if a young person in your life was struggling with their mental health? While we like to think teens will share their problems with us, the truth is they are more likely to tell a friend, rather than a parent.
In fact, many young people keep their mental health a secret from parents, because they don’t want to cause them stress and worry.
In 2023 alone, Kids Helpline received almost 12,000 suicide-related contacts, with the number of crisis/safety interventions by Kids Helpline counsellors in relation to suicide attempts by children and young people doubling in the last five years.
With World Suicide Prevention Day and R U OK? Day around the corner, we're reflecting on our goal to create safe spaces for children and young people to seek help when they need it.
A Kids Helpline counsellor's top tips for helping a child who struggles with mental health
We asked our Kids Helpline counsellors what adults and parents can do when they’re concerned about a young person’s mental health. Here’s their top five small, but powerful things you can do to help:
- Don’t be afraid to have conversations – you could ask, “Is there anything you wanted to talk about? You haven't really seemed yourself lately.”
- Be patient and encouraging, as kids may struggle finding the words to express how they feel.
- Try not to push – it's ok if they aren’t ready to talk. Fear of being judged or treated differently can stop kids opening up at first.
- Remember to take their feelings seriously – if your child shares that things aren’t ok, get professional support (especially if your child talks about feeling hopeless and/or thoughts of suicide).
- Let your kids know that they're not alone, they are loved, and help is available.
“You know your child best. If your gut feeling is that something isn’t quite right, trust it – and never do nothing." - Kids Helpline counsellor
Helping young people find their circle
We know that empowering young people to ask for help could one day save their life. Kids Helpline’s peer support platform, My Circle, connects young people with one another, while professional counsellors facilitate.
Since My Circle’s launch in 2021, over 16,000 young people have registered to access the community.
When asked what it is they like about My Circle, young people told us that they felt safe and socially connected, experienced less stigma, learned new coping skills, and now have a greater willingness to seek help in the future.
Your support makes life brighter for children and young people
With 70% of Kids Helpline sessions occurring outside of normal business hours, your support means professional counsellors can continue to respond to children and young people at any time of the day or night.
Your tickets and donations can help stop things reaching crisis point – suicide can be prevented, and early intervention makes all the difference in altering the course of a young person’s mental health journey. We appreciate all your support!
