October 10th is World Mental Health Day. World Mental Health Day strives to raise awareness to the importance of mental health and recognizes everyday challenges that millions of people across the world struggle with on a daily basis.
Amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, mental health issues have taken a rise but awareness for it has become more prominent in society. Due to this, it’s provided more attention to the importance of taking care of yourself not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too.
An article posted by the CDC highlights the correlation between mental health in children and their parents/caregivers. “A recent study found that 1 in 14 children have a caregiver with poor mental health.” It’s often forgotten that a parent’s mental health affects not only themselves but their children as well. Children’s development relies on the support and care of their parent(s) – if the parents’ health is neglected, the child’s health in most cases, reflects that of their parents’.
This is especially crucial for fathers or father figures in a child’s life, as well as parents/caregivers who are People of Color, in poverty and/or have a history of mental health issues.
Caring for a child on top of struggling mentally can take a toll on a parent. It’s important to have a support system, know where to find valuable resources, and have an understanding of how you can improve your overall health for yourself and your children.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please refer to the resources below.
Resources:
A CDC funded web campaign to find resources and support
Learn skills on how to cope with emotions and behavior