The COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult time for everyone, regardless of age. However, children and teenagers may be especially feeling the effects and struggling to cope with the stress. There are many things that might be worrying your child or teen, from health concerns to isolation and dealing with a lot of change in a relatively short period of time. Some children might also be grieving for lost family members or friends. Providing your child or teen with the necessary support during this period is vital, especially as the other stressors in their life may be exacerbated.
At Bridge to Balance, we can help you to ensure your child receives the support that they need. Our in-office and Telemental Health services enable children and teens everywhere to talk to a professional about their mental health.
Talk to Your Child
It’s important to have an open dialogue with your child about coping with COVID and how it is making them feel. We are all being affected in some way, but children and teens can sometimes hide the way that they are feeling and be reluctant to talk about it. Involving your child in discussion about how they are feeling can help you to support them and determine whether they might benefit from additional support from a professional.
They might struggle to talk about their feelings, perhaps because they don’t know how or because they don’t want to burden others with their feelings. However, making sure that they know you are available to talk and encouraging them to share may help them to open up.
How to Tell If Your Child Needs Support
Not all children will want to share their thoughts or feelings with their parents, even when encouraged to do so. Additionally, your support might not be sufficient on its own, despite you trying your hardest. Knowing the signs that your child might need more support will help you to understand whether you need to consider other solutions, such as therapy. There are some signs that you can look for to identify stress and anxiety in your child. You might notice changes in mood or behavior that are unusual for your child, such as irritability or loss of interest in their hobbies or personal relationships. Isolating or withdrawing from others may be another sign. You might observe changes in your child’s sleeping patterns or eating habits, among other changes.
It’s also important to be especially vigilant about any increase in reckless behaviors or any thoughts or talk about death or suicide.
Seeking Support for Your Child or Teen
If you think that your child or teen requires more support during this tough time, seeking help from a professional service could be your next step. Although you can offer your support as their parent or guardian, a therapist has the training and experience to help in ways that you may not be able to. Additionally, children and teenagers may be more open to speaking to a neutral third party than their parents. Bridge to Balance offers in-office and telehealth therapy services tailored to children and teens to help you provide the support that they need.