Helping Kids Thrive Mentally and Emotionally: A Guide for Parents

Available with English captions.

Parenting a child is an endless job: our kids count on us to help them learn to do everything from read and write to ride a bike. With so many responsibilities, even the most dedicated parents can lose sight of the role they play in teaching and modeling something that lasts a lifetime: managing our mental health.

So what should parents know about raising mentally healthy children? How can they help their kids learn to manage stress, adapt to change, and build self-confidence? And why is it so important to set examples for a child to follow?

Audience Questions

In this highly practical session filled with takeaways, Jacqueline Sperling, PhD, breaks down the critical skills kids need to build strong mental health, provides concrete strategies parents can use to nurture those abilities, and shares tips for modeling emotional well-being.

  • How can parents work proactively to support their children’s mental well-being?
  • Why are the childhood years so critical when it comes to mental health development?
  • What are some possible repercussions if childhood mental health is not well maintained?
  • What are some of the typical mental health challenges that kids face? What do they look like?
  • What roles can puberty and related hormonal changes play in adolescent mental well-being?
  • Do you find that there are lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the mental health of today’s youth?
  • What is the distinction between healthy stress and anxiety and something more serious?
  • Are there specific “red flag” signs that parents and others can watch for that might signal a mental health concern?
  • When might these concerns warrant professional support?
  • How can parents convey empathy and understanding to their kids?
  • What are some suggestions for dealing with a kid’s mistakes?
  • How important is it to recognize accomplishments?
  • How can parents help kids take baby steps towards independence?
  • From a developmental standpoint, what should parents know about structured and unstructured play time?
  • Is there value to establishing routine in a child’s life?
  • How can parents help their children build-problem solving skills?
  • How can parents help their children build coping skills?
  • What can parents do to model self-care for their children?
  • What are some first steps a parent can take to seek professional guidance?
  • When might it make sense to talk with a teacher about a child’s mental health?
  • What should parents know about the importance of taking a proactive approach to kids’ mental health?

The information discussed is intended to be educational and should not be used as a substitute for guidance provided by your health care provider. Please consult with your treatment team before making any changes to your care plan.

Resources

You may also find this information useful:

About Dr. Sperling

Jacqueline Sperling, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, faculty at Harvard Medical School, and the co-founder and co-program director of the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program. She specializes in implementing evidence-based treatments, such as cognitive behavior therapy, and working with youth who present with anxiety disorders and/or obsessive compulsive disorder.

Dr. Sperling is the author of the young adult nonfiction book “Find Your Fierce: How to Put Social Anxiety in Its Place” and a contributor for Harvard Health Publishing.

More Webinars

It’s important to think about ways to manage your mental health. McLean is committed to providing mental health and self-care resources for all who may need them. You and your family may find these strategies from McLean experts helpful to feel mentally balanced in your everyday lives.

Sign up now for the next webinar in our Mental Health Webinar Series.

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Mental Health Webinars