A Strong Foundation

When it comes to forming the bedrock of mental wellness, childhood and the teen years are a crucial period.

“For a lifetime of mental wellness, children and teens need something to build upon. Parents can ensure the foundation is laid correctly,” says Adefolake Akinsanya, MD, service chief of the Adolescent Female Crisis Stabilization Unit and a psychiatrist at the adolescent residential treatment center on the Sheppard Pratt Towson campus. Read on for more ways you can help your child develop a strong foundation for mental health.

• Positive social relationships. “Positive social relationships can be fostered with a family member, friend, or neighbor,” Dr. Akinsanya says. “People with more positive connections, both emotional and social, tend to have fewer mental health concerns and more resilience against mental disorders such as anxiety and depression.”
• Stress management skills. Dr. Akinsanya emphasizes the importance of stress management skills, such as getting enough sleep, meditating, avoiding drug and alcohol use, restricting caffeine, listening to music, talking to friends, and exercising, such as doing yoga or cycling. “Encourage them to consider writing or journaling, painting, cooking, or baking—practical and readily available activities,” she advises.
• Minimal use of social media. “Social media can reduce awareness and real social connections,” Dr. Akinsanya warns. Too much use can cause stress, anxiety, and depression. Social media isn’t always safe, with bullying, phishing, financial risks, solicitations for sexual trafficking, and more.
• Sense of purpose. Having a goal or something you are working toward helps people feel they are making a positive impact in life and with others, she says.

Fostering Resilience in Kids

The ability to bounce back after disappointment or failure is essential for mental health. Dr. Akinsanya suggests that parents prioritize these three tools to build resilience in kids:

• “Don’t be too overly protective or distant,” Dr. Akinsanya recommends. Give attention, understanding, acceptance, and support; listen and show interest; and accept children as they are.
• Establish appropriate expectations and limits for a child’s behaviors and be consistent. Too much control suggests rigidity and may inhibit individuality and independence.
• “Limit-setting and monitoring help build resilience, set expectations, and utilize appropriate rules,” Dr. Akinsanya explains. Parents can shape socially acceptable behaviors and encourage a strong mindset, but too much can be negative. Being firm without being inflexible, promoting self-regulation skills, utilizing positive reinforcement, and urging children to take ownership of what they do encourages resilience and empathy.