Protect your Family’s Mental Health- UNICEF
Friday 17th of April 2020
Protect your Family’s Mental Health- UNICEF
UNICEF worked with expert adolescent psychologist, best-selling author, monthly New York Times columnist and mother of two Dr. Lisa Damour to learn more about how families can support each other and make the most of this new (temporary) normal.
The first thing parents can do is normalize the fact that teenagers are feeling anxious. ‘Many teenagers have the misunderstanding that anxiety is always a sign of mental illness when in fact, psychologists have long recognized that anxiety is a normal and healthy function that alerts us to threats and helps us take measures to protect ourselves.’
Secondly, parents need to help them look outward. Say to them, “Listen, I know you’re feeling really anxious about catching coronavirus, but part of why we’re asking you to do all these things — to wash your face, to stay close to home — is that that’s also how we take care of members of our community. We think about the people around us.”
Further, help young people find distractions. However, it’s important that they don’t bury themselves in screens right now and parents should be up front with their kids. During these times, anxiety takes a huge toll on your family and finding positive distractions are important.