“Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the rain, but, importantly, YOU ARE NOT THE RAIN.” — Matt Haig
Half of all mental health conditions begin before the age of 14!
We need to open the conversation about mental health with our kids.
“Mental health and wellbeing is established early in life and provides children with the foundation for all aspects of their development including physical, educational, social, emotional and cognitive development.” Beyond Blue
If the stigma surrounding mental health continues, our children will grow up thinking that they are unable to seek help for fear of being judged or ostracized.
It is when we have these conversations and allow our kids to ask questions and receive honest answers, that they begin to feel supported and confident enough to speak up when things don’t feel right.
What would happen if our kids knew that there was an open dialogue surrounding mental health and that they could come to us at any time?
Do you talk to your kids about mental health?
If you or anyone you know is struggling mentally, please reach out to one of the services listed below.
LIFELINE
13 11 14
HEADSPACE
1800 650 890
Free online and telephone service that supports young people aged between 12 and 25 and their families going through a tough time.
KIDS HELPLINE
1800 55 1800
A free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.
MINDSPOT CLINIC
1800 61 44 34
An online and telephone clinic providing free assessment and treatment services for Australian adults with anxiety or depression.
QLIFE
1800 184 527
3pm-12am
QLife is Australia’s first nationally-oriented counselling and referral service for LGBTI people. The project provides nation-wide, early intervention, peer supported telephone and web based services to diverse people of all ages experiencing poor mental health, psychological distress, social isolation, discrimination, experiences of being misgendered and/or other social determinants that impact on their health and wellbeing.
