Talking To Your Child About a Sibling's Mental Illness

Here are things to keep in mind as you approach conversations with children about a sibling who has a mental illness.

How to Talk to Your Child About Their Mental Health | NAMI

Ideally, a mental health condition should not be a secret. Your child may feel more secure if their siblings/ grandparents/others in the family know about ...

How to Support a Sibling Who's Struggling - Child Mind Institute

If your sibling chooses to talk to you about their mental health, try to listen with an open mind. Offer distractions like going on a bike ride ...

Talking to Your Child about Why Their Sibling is in the Hospital

It's important to address a sibling's concerns and discuss why they might not be able to visit them. These can be difficult conversations to have.

Talking With Kids About Mental Health - Cincinnati Children's Blog

Talking With Kids About Mental Health · Be honest and straightforward. Explain what's going on in terms your child can understand. · Make it age ...

Siblings of Children with Mental Illness, An Unseen Struggle

Have open communication. Share information about the illness and its effect on the brother or sister. Make sure the sibling knows they are not to blame. Reach ...

9 tips for talking to kids & teens about mental health - Brightline

In addition to modeling open conversation about mental health, tell your child directly that you are there to listen. Reinforce that talking ...

Talking with children about mental illness in the family - PubMed

Children may experience extreme stress when a family member becomes mentally ill. Talking with them about mental illness and eliciting their feelings can ...

Talking To Kids About Mental Illnesses - AACAP

When explaining to a child about how a mental illness affects a person, it may be helpful to make a comparison to a physical illness. For example, many people ...

Should Mental Health Challenges Be A Secret? Talking To Siblings ...

It is important to respect our child's right to privacy if they do not want to share about their struggles with a sibling. However, we also need ...

Learning to Help Your Child and Your Family | NAMI

Remember that if you have other children, they may resent being pushed to the side if all the attention is placed on their sibling's mental health challenges.

5 Ways to Support Siblings of Kids With Mental Health Disorders

It's essential for parents to listen to concerns the other children may have, and reassure them that you love them. “Let them know, 'I hear you, I see you,' ” ...

How to Talk With Family Members About a Kid's Mental Health

Try to make caretaking a mutual effort with regular reflection on what each of you sees and does with the kids. It's also helpful to get input ...

Siblings With Mental Health Issues - Relational Minds

Keep the family communication lines open. Sit down and talk about it together, so that all family members understand what the child with a mental health issue ...

Holding Space for Your Child When Their Sibling Is Struggling With ...

Parents often wonder if and when they should talk to siblings about mental illness and the related family experiences. Humans of all ages are ...

44: How to Explain Mental Health Issues and Behavior to Siblings

Most parents tend to avoid having a conversation with the siblings of their child as regards the latter's real condition. Some people have ...

How to Talk to Your Family about Your Child's Mental Illness

Talking about your child's mental illness isn't a one-time event. It's important to keep clear and honest communication going, long after the ...

60 Tips for Supporting a Family Member with Mental Illness

Maintain your role as the sibling, child, or parent of the individual. Don't change your role. Mental health professionals, family members, & ...

Children and Mental Health: Is This Just a Stage?

If you have concerns about your child's mental health, start by talking with others who frequently interact with your child. For example, ask their teacher ...

Talking to Your Children about Mental Health - Homewood Health

It's never too early to begin the conversation about mental health. Parents, older siblings and other family members can help dispel fears and anxieties.