Resources for Starting Conversations

• You can support children's mental health and create a healthy relationship by regularly talking with them about their thoughts, feelings and experiences.
• Establish routines for checking in with them when there are fewer distractions such as during car rides, family dinners or at bedtime.
• Share some of your thoughts and feelings to show children that all emotions are OK and discuss the coping strategies you use.
• Encourage children to share by asking open-ended questions about various topics, not just emotions or behaviors. If children don't want to talk, respect their space and try again later.

• During conversations with your child, remember your goals: keeping them talking, and for your child to know they can keep coming back to you with future problems or worries.
• Keep conversations going by pausing and letting them guide the conversation, use reflective listening (it sounds like ____, I hear you saying _____), and normalize emotions.
• Other conversation tips include: noticing your body language (use head nods, eye contact, and open posture), taking breaks when needed in difficult conversations, and thanking your child for sharing.

You can teach children how to navigate complicated situations. After your child has opened up during a conversation, support them by:

• Asking for your child’s ideas first before jumping in with your advice
• Asking your child’s permission before asking questions or sharing advice
• Avoiding judgmental language (“why” instead of “what” questions can make people defensive)
• Practicing the skills over time to build habits

• Get in the habit of discussing mental health before problems arise. You don’t need to have all the answers.
• Mental health is how we think, feel and act. Talk about feelings openly by sharing your own and how you handle them.
• Choose a calm time to discuss concerns, listen to your child's feelings, and seek professional help if needed.

• Communication strategies can help reduce arguments with your child when you set limits or rules so you can continue having a positive relationship with them.
• Be clear and detailed about what you expect from your child.
• Be open and curious about what your child wants when possible.
• When saying “No:” Communicate you hear your child’s point of view, state the reason, and problem solve if possible.
• This technique allows you to have healthy conversations while getting children to do as expected.

• Building a strong relationship with your child helps reduce online risks and can improve their digital literacy.
• Letting your child guide you through the platforms they use while expressing curiosity can encourage more sharing.
• Spending time alongside your child when they’re online and seeing their favorite content will help you understand what they’re seeing and thinking about.

• Children often feel the impact of financial challenges, even if they don’t understand it. Learn how to talk about money worries that supports kids’ emotional well-being and mental health.
• Learn how to choose language, answer questions openly and reassure children that they are safe and not responsible for the situation.
• Ongoing conversations can help kids feel safe and secure during these uncertain times.

• Children are often aware of their parents’ mental health struggles, and when it’s not talked about, it can lead kids to feel anxious, wonder if they are the cause or lead them to try and fix their parents’ problem.
• Starting open and age-appropriate conversations can reassure children and reduce stigma around mental health conditions.
• When you talk about and show self-care (like therapy or coping strategies), it instills hope and normalizes mental health as something that can be worked on.

Talking about politics can be tricky and may lead to difficult social interactions and strong emotions. Yet no matter our personal political views, most of us want to raise the next generation to be responsible and engaged citizens.

Discussing substance use early and often benefits children’s mental and physical health. Your ongoing dialogue may persuade your child from drinking or vaping as teens.

• Talking to children about substance use is important
• Substance use can impact a teen’s physical health, mental health and increase risk taking
• We have suggestions about when and how to start with questions you can download
• Help them feel comfortable sharing their thoughts by listening and avoiding big reactions

Kids often become aware of current events due to conversations with peers at school or through social media. Our experts have ways to start a conversation so kids are getting correct information and have an opportunity to share how they are feeling.

• It is important to talk with your child about food choices and body image in a way that isn’t damaging to their mental health.
• You can start by observing your own relationship with food and your body and talking about food as fuel for our bodies.
• You can model healthy relationships with food and body image by focusing on health rather than weight and speaking positively about your body and all bodies.

If you are unsure how to start the conversation with your kids, use these resources to help guide you – from setting an example to asking the right questions.

Neurodiverse children might have trouble talking about their experiences or feelings. We have ideas to help deepen your relationship and improve mental health.

You can support kids who are non-verbal making efforts to communicate their thoughts or feelings, work to implement visual or non-vocal supports, and show interest in the things that the child is excited about.