Raising a Child With a Mental Health Disorder
- Aug 20, 2021
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 3
Navigating the unique challenges of raising a child with a mental health disorder requires a knowledgeable and compassionate approach. We understand the complexities you face and are here to provide valuable insights and a clear path forward for building a happy, thriving childhood for your child.
How can parents effectively support a child with a mental health disorder?
Parents can effectively support their child by conducting thorough research on the specific diagnosis, maintaining open communication without shying away from difficult conversations, collaborating with the child's school, and enlisting the help of mental health professionals.
Raising a child with a mental health disorder is a journey, and we have more to share about creating a strong foundation for their growth. Keep reading to discover essential strategies for building a supportive environment where your child can flourish and embrace their identity.
What Challenges Do Parents Face When Raising a Child with a Mental Health Disorder?
Raising a child with a mental health disorder can present a unique set of challenges throughout a young one’s developmental years, both for the child and the parents involved. Addressing a child’s mental health disorder and creating a plan for a happy, thriving childhood is essential.
However, it also requires a personalized approach to the needs of each child. Although there may be some hurdles throughout these young years, it is still possible to build happy memories and a solid foundation for a child to embody their own identity and ambitions.
Raising a Child With a Mental Health Disorder: Understanding the Effects on the Child
A child suffering from a mental health disorder can face any number of daily stresses, all of which can greatly impact their developing mindset. Children do not inherently have a developed sense of emotional resilience—feelings of sadness, anger, or mood swings can all be very common without the learned ability to address changes or hurdles in daily life.
However, for those suffering from a mental illness, this can compound into a very debilitating state. Learning to work with a child’s mental health disorder can all be incredibly difficult to deal with. Children's emotions can also greatly impact their social development. Learning to appropriately communicate and act around others and work as a group are core components of a child’s social development.
Even playtime with other children serves a great purpose in establishing a base set of social skills. However, suffering from a mental health disorder can make it difficult to connect with other children or establish effective communication and social skills from a young age. This can further potential feelings of isolation.
The effects of a mental health disorder can create barriers and cause confusion for a child. This may leave them feeling lonely, isolated, or otherwise feeling like they are ostracized from their peers. Addressing these effects is necessary to help a child feel supported and accepted through these crucial developmental years. Instill the skills necessary for an effective transition to adulthood is vital.
Parenting Through Barriers
Taking a unique approach to parenting each child is necessary, depending on their mental health disorder and needs. However, there are some tips that can help parents breakthrough and effectively support and raise their child, despite any mental health disorder.
Do Your Research
Understanding and educating oneself on their child’s unique diagnosis is the first step towards creating an effective parenting plan. Doing so can help a parent to better understand why their child may feel or act in certain situations.
It can also create a necessary baseline for effective communication to employ other strategies. The child will also be able to better express themselves and feel as if they are truly understood when they discuss their emotions and symptoms. Becoming more informed can also allow parents to determine if the symptoms their child is facing are common childhood difficulties or the result of a disorder that needs additional attention.
Don’t Shy Away
Children are more perceptive than many may realize. While a child might not understand the intricacies of their diagnosis, it is very possible they will know they are different from their peers in some way. Telling a child that they do have different needs from other children can be helpful as it can legitimize their feelings. Reinforcing this fact can help a child feel like they are less ostracized or isolated.
Instead, it can create an avenue where they are heard and can better understand their own feelings, needs, and goals. As children age and their questions become more nuanced, further explaining their diagnosis and what is going on can continue to aid in the development of their emotional resiliency and coping strategies.
Discuss With the School
Taking the time to address the situation with a child’s school can also be a way of helping the child even while the parent is not around. Having teachers or guidance counselors aware of their unique needs can help these influential figures better understand and address the situation. This can provide extra aid or even information on how certain actions may require the need of therapeutic assistance rather than disciplinary action.
A child’s school holds a great deal of influence over the developmental years. Having a plan of action, escape plan, or emergency plan already established with these facilities can help ensure that a child is receiving proper, specialized care.
Having a professional listen and observe the child alongside a parent can help create a better understanding of the situation. While developing coping strategies and grounding techniques is important, it is also critical that these strategies are created with an informed, professional source that can explain the intended effects and goals of the practice. Engaging in therapy alongside one’s child by attending a family therapy program or individual programs together can also aid in developing communication skills.
Raising a child who suffers from a mental health disorder can be complicated. However, Chateau Recovery, located in Midway, Utah, is ready to help you today. We offer an array of programs geared to help you better understand your child and create a supportive and positive environment to work through a child’s mental health disorder and lead a fulfilling and constructive childhood.
Frequently Ask Questions:
• How can a child's mental health disorder affect their social development?
A mental health disorder can make it difficult for a child to connect with other children and develop effective communication and social skills, which can lead to feelings of isolation.
• What is the first step a parent should take after their child is diagnosed with a mental health disorder?
The first step is for parents to do their research and educate themselves on their
child's specific diagnosis to better understand their behaviors and feelings.
• Why is it important to talk to a child about their diagnosis?
It is important to talk to a child about their diagnosis because it can legitimize their feelings and help them feel less ostracized or isolated, creating an avenue for open communication.
• How can a school help a child with a mental health disorder?
Discussing the situation with the school can help teachers and guidance counselors better understand and address the child's needs, potentially offering extra aid or therapeutic assistance instead of disciplinary action.
• Why is it beneficial to employ professionals when raising a child with a mental health disorder?
Employing professionals is beneficial because they can provide an informed perspective, help develop effective coping strategies and grounding techniques, and improve family communication skills.
The challenges of raising a child with a mental health disorder can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to face them alone. We at Chateau Health and Wellness Treatment Center are here to partner with you and your family on this journey. We offer comprehensive, personalized programs designed to help you build a supportive and positive environment for your child to thrive. Our team is committed to providing the guidance and care you need to navigate these complexities together. We invite you to contact us today at (435) 222-5225 so we can begin creating a path toward a fulfilling and constructive childhood for your family.
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About The Author
Ben Pearson, LCSW - Clinical Director
With 19 years of experience, Ben Pearson specializes in adolescent and family therapy, de-escalation, and high-risk interventions. As a former Clinical Director of an intensive outpatient program, he played a key role in clinical interventions and group therapy. With 15+ years in wilderness treatment and over a decade as a clinician, Ben has helped countless individuals and families navigate mental health and recovery challenges.
Danny Warner, CEO of Chateau Health and Wellness
Brings a wealth of experience in business operations, strategic alliances, and turnaround management, with prior leadership roles at Mediconnect Global, Klever Marketing, and WO Investing, Inc. A graduate of Brigham Young University in Economics and History, Danny has a proven track record of delivering results across diverse industries. His most transformative role, however, was as a trail walker and counselor for troubled teens at the Anasazi Foundation, where he directly impacted young lives, a personal commitment to transformation that now drives his leadership at Chateau.
Austin Pederson, Executive Director of Chateau Health and Wellness
Brings over eight years of experience revolutionizing mental health and substance abuse treatment through compassionate care and innovative business strategies. Inspired by his own recovery journey, Austin has developed impactful programs tailored to individuals facing trauma and stress while fostering comprehensive support systems that prioritize holistic wellness. His empathetic leadership extends to educating and assisting families, ensuring lasting recovery for clients and their loved ones.
