Parent Mental Health Day
"One of the most significant gifts parents can give their children is the gift of taking care of themselves. Without parents caring for their mental health it can be challenging, or near impossible, to help their children nurture theirs.
"According to the Health Education Authority (HEA 1997), Mental Health is the emotional and spiritual resilience which enables us to enjoy life and survive pain, disappointment and sadness. It is a positive sense of wellbeing and an underlying belief in our own and others' dignity and worth.
"With the rise in children needing mental health services, the need is clear for more support services that also cater to parents. Children are counting on parents to be their role models for good mental health practice.
"Our children mirror the ways we respond to situations, the ways we regulate our emotions and the ways we nurture our mental health. We can lead the way to resilient mental health through our example. Some ingredients for good mental health practice include:
- Keeping a gratitude journal
- Taking a walk/exercising
- Talking kindly to ourselves
- Letting go of mistakes
- Learning to actively listen to ourselves and others
- Taking deep breaths
- Managing the time on our phones
- Reflections
- Asking for help
- Having a safe space to share our challenges
"All these ingredients can help our mood, feelings, behaviours and what we say. They are also great for building and nurturing our relationships with our children.
"It's important to remember that support is out there, and that you are not alone. Our Young Greenwich Parenting Support Service is a non-judgemental space, aimed at helping to equip and empower the parents of teens to achieve better outcomes for their mental health and wellbeing, as well as the health and wellbeing of their families.
"Our goal is to help remove any stigma around seeking help. Mental health is as important as physical health, so we support Parent Mental Health Day and all it stands for."
Phinnah Ikeji, Young Greenwich Parenting Support Manager.