Mental health is a combination of our psychological, emotional, and social well-being, which affects how we think, feel, and act. When you are struggling with your mental health, you can experience stress, depression, or increase your risk for mental illness.

We all have mental health struggles sometimes when we are sad, fearful, stressed, confused, or experiencing a difficult time - which are typically short term mental health struggles.

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It's important to remember that mental health changes over time and mental health struggles are extremely common.

How you can help!

As a parent, you can help strengthen your kids mental health by doing simple things such as:

• Eating meals together

• Be a good listener

• Show affection

• Share a physical activity with them (walk, play, ski, ball, yoga, etc.)

• Help them get enough sleep

• Be a role model and share your feelings

• Slow down. Limit the number of activities you and your family engage in so you have quiet, recharging time.

• Encourage your kid to journal and get them 'out of their head'.

Fun activities to do with your family

Out of ideas? Here's some easy suggestions to spend quality time together as a family.

• Go on a weekend getaway

• Host board game nights

• Cook a meal together

• Work out together

• Talk about anything

• Read a book together

• Teach each other something

• Have a movie night

• Volunteer in the community

• Try new things

Show the people in your life exactly how much you care by spending time with them. Quality time is an easy and powerful way to connect with your loved ones in a simple and straightforward way.

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Want more help? Here are some toolkits you can use to learn more about mental health and start the conversation with your teen.

Communities for Youth would love your help! If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer, advocate, sponsor or donor, your participation is welcome to help our youth in Idaho thrive! Contact us to get started.