Parental mental health.

Parental mental health: Many parents with mental health issues can care for their children safely and lovingly. But sometimes, you might need support from family, friends, or healthcare professionals to get you through hard times. There is no shame in requiring extra help as a parent, whatever the reasoning for it.

How your mental health issue might affect your parenting:

All parents face challenges, but you may face additional problems if you have a mental health problem. Mental health problems can range in terms of how intense they are and how they affect you. You may need regular extra support or have periods when you need more help. 

When you are not mentally well, you may find it difficult to:

• deal with the daily challenges of parenting, it can be low energy because of depression
• handle your mood or emotions around your children
• care for your kids, either physically or emotionally
• manage your kids’ behavior or set boundaries for them

You may also experience discrimination from other people making judgments about mental health.

How to deal with the problem of parental mental health:

Take care of your mental health

Taking care of your mental health includes, eating well, making time for physical activity, giving up smoking, getting adequate sleep, or talking to your doctor about different treatment options.

Build a support network

Find people you can count on for emotional support. Share with them when you are starting to find things difficult and tell them what you need.

Also Read: Tips for dealing with a depressed teenager.

Look after yourself

It can be hard to seek help as a parent. You might worry about being judged or tell yourself you have to keep going on your own. Try not to pressurize yourself to be a perfect parent. Remember, all parents have difficult times, and there is no shame in needing extra support.

Ask your employer about flexible working

Having a better work-life balance can help you manage to work and parent more healthily.

Stay organized and have a routine

Sticking to regular times for mealtimes and bedtimes can help you feel more leveled and help your children feel more confident. Write down your family routines so that the other people supporting your family can provide a sense of security. As well as note down your children’s daily and weekly routines, you could include their likes and dislikes. This can help you feel more in command.

Seek help from your local authority

Your local authority must provide social care if you find it hard to care for yourself or your children. They can also support your children if they are caring for you. It can be hard to ask for help like this, and you may be afraid your children will be taken care of. This only happens in very rarest cases where, neither you nor your partner (if you have one), can safely care for your children. Asking for help means you are doing the best for your family and demonstrates that you are a good parent. Your local authority might have supported lots of parents before you and is experienced in the best ways to help you and your family. Asking for support can be a positive experience for you all.