How to Talk About Mental Health with Your Child​

​​Talking about mental health with your child may feel daunting at first, but starting the conversation is one of the most important steps you can take toward building a supportive and emotionally healthy home. This guide is designed to help you open up meaningful discussions in a way that feels safe, respectful and empowering for your child.

You’ll find a set of open-ended questions and helpful tips that prioritize listening, validation and curiosity over correction or judgment. There are no right or wrong answers here -- just opportunities to better understand how your child thinks, feels and copes with the world around them. By engaging in these conversations with compassion and openness, you’re helping lay the foundation for ongoing, healthy communication about mental and emotional well-being.

Things to keep in mind when discussing mental health:

• There are no right or wrong answers. It’s ok if the people your child feels safe with or goes to for help doesn’t include certain individuals (including you or other family members!) The whole point is to create a safe environment so if you aren’t already on the list, your child learns they can add you to the list.
• Prioritize validation over correction. Your goal right now is to help build the foundation for your family to have open, honest and safe conversations about mental health. When your child shares something vulnerable with you, it probably isn’t the best time to correct their words, actions or ways of coping. Instead, pause before responding to ensure your reply helps your child feels validated, heard, and understood. Some examples of validating statements include the following:
• “That sounds really difficult.”
• “It makes sense that you feel that way.”
• “Your feelings are valid and understandable.”
• Be curious, not judgmental. Some of the answers your child gives might not be the same answers you would give. Maybe their answers include friends or activities you aren’t the biggest fan of. That’s ok. Your job is just to get to know them better, and give them a safe space to talk openly about mental health – even if you don’t like or agree with their answers.

 
Questions:

1. When you are stressed/anxious/nervous, what do you do to calm yourself down?
2. Who can you go to for help when you are not home? (e.g., friends, teachers, other trusted adults)
3. Who are some people you feel safe with? (e.g., friends, family, teachers, etc. – remember, there are no right or wrong answers!).
4. What places, activities, and/or people help you feel calm and relaxed?
5. What social media accounts/creators give you ideas on helpful coping skills? What is it about those creators and/or coping skills that resonates with you?
6. What would you tell a friend who was experiencing a mental health crisis?
7. What are some activities that help distract you when you are feeling overwhelmed?
8. What is one thing you want to do more of this week, to improve your mood/mental health? What is one thing you want to do less of?
• Bonus: How can I support you in taking this step?
9. What gives you energy? How do you like to recharge when your energy has been drained?
10. How can I (we) better support you at home when you’re having a hard time?
11. When is a time that you felt proud? Tell me about it.
    

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Remember: the g​oal of these conversations is connection, not perfection. You don’t need to have all the answers or say the perfect thing. What matters most is showing up with empathy, being a steady presence, and creating a space where your child feels seen, heard and supported.

These talks may be the start of deeper, ongoing discussions -- and that’s a good thing. The more you normalize talking about mental health, the more likely your child is to reach out when they’re struggling. Keep listening, stay curious and let them know that no matter what they’re going through, they don’t have to face it alone.