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How to talk to your child about their mental health

How to talk to your child about their mental health

It's national Time to Talk Day 2025, but do you know how to talk to your child about how they're feeling and would you know what to do if you're unable to get them to open up to you? We asked the experts at mental health charity Mind for their top tips.

a rearview shot of a mother and daughter talking about their feelings

Hollie Bond

Published: February 6, 2025 at 1:22 PM

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Watching your child struggle with their mental health is extremely distressing for a parent, but it can also be difficult to know how to broach the subject and doing so can take both of you out of your conversation comfort zone.

While we might think young people these days are more in touch with their emotions and feelings than ever before, new data from Mind shows that 45% of today's teenagers and young adults (aged 16-24 years) say not talking about mental health is better than having an awkward conversation, compared to only 19% of 65-74 year olds. But talking to your child or teenager about their worries or mental health struggles is extremely important, so as their parent or carer it's up to you to make sure they feel comfortable doing so.

Time to Talk Day on 6 February 2025, part of the wider Children’s Mental Health Week from 3–9 February, is the perfect time to start broaching the subject with your child and take those first steps to ensure your child knows they can come to you for help whatever the problem in the future.

To help you, we spoke to mental health charity Mind, for their tips on how to broach the subject of mental health with your child, whether they're already struggling or not. Ever heard of gentle parenting? What are the pros and cons, and how do you put it into practice? Discover our Gentle parenting guide and whether it is right for your family?

What is Time to Talk Day?

Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. Taking place every year, it’s a day for friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives. Not having conversations can have a negative impact on all aspects of life, including jobs, relationships, friendships and health. Mind, Rethink Mental Illness and Co-op are calling on people to get comfortable talking and start a conversation, however small, about how they are really feeling. Across the UK, Time to Talk Day is delivered by See Me with SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) in Scotland, Inspire in Northern Ireland and Time to Change Wales.

How to chat to your child about mental health

Mother talking to teenage son about mental health

If you've noticed your child is struggling with something but they aren't opening up to you about it, it can be scary and stressful. However, it's important not show your stress or get agitated with your child and approach the matter carefully and thoughtfully. Sarah Hughes, CEO of Mind suggests the following steps:

Choose the right moment – find a comfortable time and place to talk, like while doing an activity together.
Use open-ended questions – for example, “I’ve noticed you haven’t seemed yourself lately—do you want to talk?”
Be patient – if they’re not ready to talk, let them know you’re there when they are.
Consider different communication methods – if face-to-face is difficult, try texting, writing a letter, or chatting while walking or driving.
Minimise distractions – give them your full attention and use open body language to show you’re engaged.

What to do if your child won't talk to you and you're concerned about them?

If you've tried all of the methods above and your child still won't open up to you, you may need some extra help. "If you feel worried that they may attempt suicide, or have seriously hurt themselves, this is an emergency," says Sarah Hughes. "You can call 999 and ask for an ambulance or go straight to A&E if you can."

If it's not an emergency but you're not making any progress opening up a channel of communication with your child, don't worry – sometimes telling people you love how you're feeling is the hardest thing of all and there are other ways to support your child. Mind suggests the following options:

Encourage talking to other trusted adults – they might feel more comfortable talking to a teacher, coach, or another family member.
Professional support – suggest they could speak to a school counsellor, GP, or mental health professional.
Helplines and online resources – services like Childline, YoungMinds, or Kooth offer confidential support.
Peer support groups – sometimes, connecting with others who have similar experiences can be helpful.

How to encourage your child to talk about their feelings from an early age

The earlier you can make talking about feelings and emotions a natural, everyday part of life for your child the easier it should be for them to come to you if they ever experience mental health problems in the future. Even if you're already navigating the mysterious world of teenagers, don't worry, it's never too late to start implementing some of these strategies from Mind below:

Check-in regularly – mental health changes all the time, so don’t wait until they’re struggling to start conversations.
Don't be afraid to ask how they are – they might want to talk about it, or they might not, but letting them know you’re there for them is just as important. Spending time with them, if you can, lets them know you care, and can help you understand what they're going through.
Ask how you can help – they will want support at different times and in different ways. This could be supporting them to exercise more or keeping track of medication or healthcare appointments.
Be open-minded – try to be non-judgemental and listen. Someone experiencing a mental health problem often knows best what's helpful for them.
Show trust and respect – consistently show interest in their thoughts and feelings, even about small things.
Don’t just talk about mental health – talking about mental health and wellbeing with them is important but it's only one part of your lives. Keep talking about things you've always talked about together and treat them the same as before.

How can you reduce the chances of your child suffering from mental health issues?

It's impossible to 100% prevent your child suffering from mental health issues, however there are steps you can take to help reduce the risk. These include fostering a supportive home environment and encouraging healthy habits.

"Offer support for stressful things, like schoolwork and exams," says Sarah Hughes. "You can also help them take care of their wellbeing by encouraging activities like mindfulness, exercise, or pursuing creative outlets. Check up on their physical health too, like making sure they're eating well and sleeping enough."

As with all things in parenting, leading by example is also key to ensuring your child knows how to behave and react to their own mental health struggles. "Talk about how you're feeling," says Sarah Hughes. "Being open about your own mental health and wellbeing might help them to open up too. And reassure them they’re not alone. Remind them that it’s okay to struggle and that support is always available."

For more information and support call Mind on 0300 123 3393 or visit mind.org.uk

Pics: Getty Images

Authors

journalist and two young kids sat on a bench in France for a review of Eurocamp

Hollie BondSenior Digital Journalist

Hollie is Senior Digital Journalist at MadeForMums. She writes articles about pregnancy, parenting, child health and getting pregnant. She has written for a number of national lifestyle magazines and websites over the past 12 years including Family History Monthly, You and Your Wedding and Muddy Stilettos. She has two children aged 5 and 8 and hasn't slept since 2017!