Effective Parenting to Address Children’s Mental Health Issues
- Cirecie West-Olatunji, Ph.D.
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
In recent years, the conversation around children’s mental health has become more urgent—and rightly so. Our young ones are navigating an increasingly complex world shaped by social pressures, academic demands, race-based stress, community challenges, and often, unspoken generational trauma. As parents, caregivers, and formal/informal extended family members, we are our children's first line of support. But to be effective, we must move beyond what we have traditionally done because that’s how our parents handled things. Instead, we must embrace intentional, culturally responsive strategies for nurturing mental well-being for our youth.
Understanding the Landscape
Mental health concerns among children and adolescents are rising. According to national data, issues such as anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders are increasingly common. For Black children and other culturally marginalized youth, these challenges are often compounded by systemic inequities, cultural misunderstandings, and a lack of access to culturally competent care. It’s important to acknowledge that children don’t experience mental health in isolation. Mental health is culturally bound and, as such, embedded within families, communities, and cultural histories.
Therefore, our approach to parenting must also be holistic, community-informed, and sensitive to our children's unique developmental and cultural needs.
What We Can Do
1. Create a Safe Space for Emotional Expression
Children must know that home is a sanctuary where their feelings will be heard without judgment. Encourage open conversations about emotions. How often do you ask your children, “How are you feeling today?” and mean it? Try using feeling words (e.g., sad, anxious, happy, excited, confident, etc.) in your daily interactions with them and model emotional expression. When children feel safe enough to talk, we are emotionally one step closer to relating to their underlying struggles.
2. Normalize Mental Health Conversations
Let’s start by demystifying therapy and mental health support. Too often, mental health is treated as taboo or a last resort. I frequently hear parents tell their children not to talk about what is going on in the home, even when children need to reach out for help. Instead, we can teach our children that just as we care for our physical health, we also tend to our emotional and mental needs. We can model how to normalize therapy, mindfulness practices, and journaling as everyday resilience tools. After all, enduring self-care is a radical concept not one of self-indulgence.
3. Practice Culturally Affirming Parenting
Affirming your child’s cultural identity is a form of psychological armor. Teach them about their heritage, celebrate cultural milestones, and speak life into their sense of self-worth. In my work with African American families, I’ve seen how storytelling, ancestral knowledge, and spiritual practices can be powerful sources of healing.
4. Establish Consistent Routines and Boundaries
Children thrive on structure. Predictable routines provide safety and order, especially for those experiencing emotional distress. Set clear, loving boundaries—not as punishment but as guidance rooted in care. Be firm yet loving. Boundaries are not just limits but also expressions of love and concern.
5. Partner with Professionals Early
There is no shame in seeking help. If you notice changes in behavior, mood changes, or social withdrawal, consult a mental health professional with cultural competence and experience working with children, especially children of color. Early intervention can make a profound difference in a child’s trajectory.
6. Care for Yourself, Too
Parenting is sacred work, but it is also demanding. You cannot pour from an empty vessel. Engage in your healing, therapy, or spiritual practices. Pray, meditate, sit quietly. Do what you’ve got to do. Remember, your well-being is tied to that of your child. Modeling self-care teaches children that self-care is rewarding, necessary, and non-negotiable.
7. Build a Village
Mental health support does not begin and end at home. Lean into your village—extended family, spiritual leaders, teachers, coaches, and counselors. A communal approach reinforces a child’s sense of belonging and creates multiple layers of support.
Final Thoughts
Parenting in today’s world requires courage, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to our children’s overall well-being. As we address mental health challenges, let us not forget the power of love, the strength of culture, and the healing that emerges when we listen deeply to our children's voices. Together, we can cultivate homes where mental health is honored, children are seen in their fullness, and families thrive with resilience and grace.
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