Talking to Kids About Mental Health: How to Support Emotional Wellness at Home
Mental health matters at every age. As parents, caregivers, and trusted adults, we often focus heavily on our children's physical health. We make sure they get vaccinations, eat balanced meals, and go to regular checkups. Yet one of the most important aspects of a child's well-being—their emotional health—can be more difficult to talk about and even harder to recognize when something feels off.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to prioritize a conversation that too often gets postponed. At Lindsey Cassidy, MD & Associates, we believe that building emotional wellness should start early and that family-centered, proactive care can make all the difference. Here is how you can begin supporting your child's mental health today.
Understanding Children’s Mental Health
Children experience emotions just as deeply as adults do, even if they lack the vocabulary or self-awareness to express them clearly. Anxiety, sadness, anger, fear, and joy are all normal parts of development. However, mental health concerns in children are more common than many people realize.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in five children has a diagnosable mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder. Many more experience periods of significant stress related to school pressures, social challenges, family changes, or world events.
When mental health issues are recognized and addressed early, children are better able to build resilience, develop coping strategies, and thrive socially and academically. Waiting too long to intervene can lead to problems that affect every area of their lives.
Why Early Conversations Matter
The best way to support your child's mental health is to normalize conversations about emotions from a young age. When children understand that feelings are part of being human and that it is safe to talk about them, they are more likely to seek help when they need it.
Early conversations about mental health also:
Teach emotional vocabulary and self-awareness
Reduce stigma around seeking help
Help children understand that emotions are not something to fear or hide
Create a foundation of trust between children and caregivers
It is never too early or too late to begin talking openly about mental health at home.
Parenting Mental Health Tips: How to Start the Conversation
Talking about mental health with kids does not have to be complicated. Here are practical ways to make it a natural part of daily life.
1. Normalize Feelings
Use everyday moments to talk about emotions. When a character in a book, show, or movie feels sad or angry, ask your child what they think that character is feeling. Share your own feelings too. For example, "I felt frustrated today when I was stuck in traffic, but taking a few deep breaths helped."
When kids see that adults have emotions and manage them, they learn that feelings are normal and manageable.
2. Ask Open-Ended Questions
Instead of asking, "Did you have a good day?" try questions like:
"What was the best part of your day?"
"Did anything happen today that made you feel worried or upset?"
"Is there something on your mind you want to talk about?"
These questions invite more detailed responses and give children permission to share both positive and difficult experiences.
3. Listen Without Judgment
When a child shares something vulnerable, the first instinct might be to solve the problem or offer immediate reassurance. While well-meaning, this can sometimes shut down deeper sharing. Instead, listen fully, acknowledge their feelings, and thank them for trusting you.
Phrases like "That sounds really tough" or "I am glad you told me" validate their experience and keep the door open for future conversations.
4. Teach Coping Skills
Help your child build a toolbox of coping strategies they can use when they feel overwhelmed. These might include:
Deep breathing or mindfulness exercises
Drawing, journaling, or creative outlets
Physical activity like walking, dancing, or playing outside
Creating a calm-down space at home with comforting items
Empowering children with practical tools gives them agency over their emotional responses.
5. Model Healthy Mental Health Habits
Children learn more from what we do than what we say. When you prioritize your own mental health—whether that means seeking therapy, managing stress, or openly discussing emotions—you show your child that it is safe and healthy to do the same.
How Concierge Family Medicine Can Help
As a family concierge practice in Denver, we have the time and space to address emotional wellness at every visit. Unlike traditional models where visits are often rushed, our concierge approach allows us to:
Spend more time talking about emotional health during well-child checks
Notice subtle signs of emotional strain that might otherwise be missed
Build trusted relationships with children and families over time
Coordinate care with mental health providers when needed
Offer parenting support and resources for nurturing emotional resilience at home
Family-centered concierge care is about seeing the whole child, not just their physical symptoms. Emotional health is a crucial part of that picture.
Dr. Lindsey Cassidy emphasizes, "Mental health is health. When we check in on a child's emotional well-being as naturally as we check their growth and blood pressure, we create a foundation for lifelong wellness."
Building a Culture of Emotional Wellness at Home
Supporting your child's mental health does not require grand gestures. It starts with small, daily acts of listening, validating, and normalizing emotions. It continues with ongoing conversations, modeling healthy habits, and reaching out for help when needed.
At Lindsey Cassidy, MD & Associates, we are here to partner with families in creating a culture of emotional wellness. Whether you are navigating stress related to school transitions, helping a child through anxiety, or simply wanting to build emotional resilience from the start, our team is ready to support you.
If you would like to learn more about how family-centered concierge care can support your child's emotional wellness, contact Lindsey Cassidy, MD & Associates today. Together, we can build strong foundations for a healthy mind and body.
