# MHApps Family Children Tips On Dealing With Children Discuss Mental Health Contact Social Worker Books Websites

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- Discussing mental health difficulties with your children Part of being a parent is supporting your children with any questions or worries they have on a range of different topics. Often children realise when parents are unwell and can worry unnecessarily. Over the next few pages we provide some information and tips on how to talk to your children about mental health issues.
- Tips on getting started It is best if you can set aside some time for yourself before talking to your children. It is important that you understand your own mental health before trying to explain it to others. Your team in Cluain Mhuire will be able to help you with this. If you havent asked, do!
  It is important that you understand the illness and its effects on you, but also what supports are available to you, what helps you to cope and how medication can help. If you feel confident and secure around this, your children will too.
- Why tell your children? This can be a difficult decision. On the one hand you want to protect your children so they won't worry and on the other hand you want to be honest with your family.
  Research has shown that children often pick up on signs that their parent is unwell. To help children understand mental illness and not develop worries or misinformation around mental illness it is important to include them in conversations about mental health.
- How to include children in a conversation on mental health Parents and other people in a child's life will need to consider their age, maturity and ability to understand the information. Even very young children will have questions and may be reassured by speaking about any worries they have. We have included some tips on how to speak to children of different age groups. If you would like some further support with this please contact your Social Worker in Cluain Mhuire
- Tip Box There are lots of information leaflets, books and other reading materials that your team can help you find to enable you to talk to you children. Talk to the Social Worker on your team on Tel: +353 01 2172100

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