When a member of their family is ill, a child may have many questions. Physical illnesses are somewhat easy to explain, but an unseen disease is difficult for them to comprehend. Mental health is often a disease that is silent and not spoken of. If mental health conditions are not explained, a child could potentially make their own, incorrect inferences.
When trying to explain depression to a child, you will have to take a lot into consideration. The best approach may be to start with the basics. What is depression?
Depression can be explained as a mental illness that affects how you think, feel, and act. When depression occurs, the brain works differently than it does in people without depression. It is not a weakness, and it is very common, but because of the way many view mental health, it is often not spoken of.
It may sometimes take a child a little time to process information about depression. It is important that you speak to them often and make sure your initial conversation about depression is not the last. Check in to make sure they do not have any more concerns or questions. While explaining the seriousness of depression, you should also encourage optimism and focus on plans to get better and be happy.
Repeatedly checking in is important because depression also affects kids, not just adults. Children can sense when something is wrong. Fortunately, sharing age-appropriate information can help children to cope with challenges presented by depression. Keep in mind the development stage of your child, though, so that the conversations can be tailored to their level of understanding.
During times of high stress and depression, families can build strong resiliency. Coping strategies include treating your own needs as a priority and then having a routine planned to help family members feel at ease during stressful times. Always be mindful of the words you use and the expressions you display. Try to implement " distress tolerance" with positive self-talk, deep breathing, and problem-solving to set positive examples for your child.
