CREATING a conversation about mental health has never been more important after a survey revealed more than half of parents do not talk about the subject with their children.


A Time to Change-commissioned poll of parents with children aged six to 18 found that 55 per cent had never spoken about depression, anxiety or stress with their offspring.

And, more shockingly, one in five had no idea how to bring up the subject in a conversation.

On the back of the survey, Cindy Daltioni, chief executive of Self-harm Awareness for All, in Duke Street, Barrow, is encouraging parents and carers not to neglect the issue, and instead find opportunities to share experiences and concerns.

She said: "It's still one of these taboo subjects for many people.

"We are good at speaking about anything else but not good at speaking about mental health.

"The best way to change things is to talk about it."

Research shows that on average one in 10 young people will experience a mental health problem before the age of 16.

One of the biggest barriers to families talking about mental health is denial of the problem amid fear of the unknown.

The poll of more than 1,100 parents discovered 45 per cent thought they did not need to have a conversation about mental health because it was "not an issue"

Experts have warned children are now suffering from stress at an earlier age, with school exams, cyber-bullying and pressure of social media all contributing to the problem.

Statistics for south Cumbria show the number of referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) has doubled over the last five years, from 522 in 2010/11 to 1,057 in 2014/15.

Children as young as four are receiving treatment and early intervention is critical in stopping problems from spiraling out of control.

Sue Baker, the director of Time to Change, said: "This has to be the generation for change. Mental health problems are a common experience for three children in every classroom.

"Our research has shown that talking about mental health is still seen as too awkward for many parents and young people and we need to change that in the home, at school, on social media and in wider social circles."

<u> Putting wellbeing first </u>

SAFA have teamed up with the Evening Mail's Healthy Young Minds campaign to suggest ways for parents to break the ice and get their child talking openly and honestly about their mental well-being, from ways to start to a conversation to tools that can be used.

  • "All feelings are a normal part of life..."
  • Talk to your child and, also more importantly, LISTEN to your child.
  • "Feeling sad, angry, annoyed is okay, it's what we do with these feelings..."
  • Approach it like any other illness, we talk about the physical bruises we get in life, explain that we get emotional bruises too.
  • Accept that your child feels sad, angry etc as we all do.
  • When you hear them discuss "difficult" emotions do not judge them.
  • Encourage your child to express their emotions safely.
  • Have a safe place for them to go to where they can feel secure.
  • Make resources available for them like colouring books, painting and diaries.
  • Be aware of other people and agencies that can help