Why Mental Health Is Just as Important as Physical Health for Kids
- Monarch
- May 13
- 4 min read
Updated: May 15
When your child gets a cold, you probably know what to do—rest, fluids, maybe a visit to the doctor. But what about when your child is anxious, withdrawn, unusually angry, or struggling socially? These emotional experiences can go unnoticed or are brushed aside, especially if there’s no obvious “cause.”
The truth is, your child’s mental health is just as vital as their physical health. It plays a key role in how they grow, learn, build relationships, and handle life’s inevitable ups and downs. As parents, understanding this connection is one of the most powerful ways we can support our kids—not just during Mental Health Awareness Month, which is this current month, but all year long.
What Is Mental Health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. For children, it’s the foundation of how they:
Express emotions in healthy ways
Form secure relationships with family and peers
Build confidence and self-esteem
Cope with disappointment and frustration
Succeed in school and develop independence
Mental health begins developing in early childhood and continues throughout an individual’s life. Just like a child's immune system, it needs regular care and support to stay strong.
Why Mental Health Matters as Much as Physical Health
Children’s brains and bodies are constantly growing, and mental health affects every system in the body. For example:
Chronic stress from unaddressed emotional struggles can impact sleep, digestion, immunity, and hormone regulation.
Mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, or trauma can lead to physical symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches, and fatigue.
Long-term emotional health problems are linked to increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and substance abuse later in life.
When we treat mental health as a routine part of overall health—just like diet, exercise, or brushing teeth—we help our kids build lifelong resilience.
What Happens If Mental Health is Ignored?
When mental health is overlooked or dismissed, children can experience:
Delayed development in emotional regulation or social skills
Struggles in school, including trouble focusing, acting out, or falling behind
Social withdrawal or conflict with peers and family
Risky behaviors in adolescence, including self-harm or substance use
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 in 5 children in the U.S. has a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder. Yet, only about 20% of those children receive care from a mental health provider.
How Parents Can Support Mental Health at Home
You don’t have to be a therapist to support your child’s mental well-being. These everyday habits can have a huge impact:
1. Normalize Talking About Feelings
Make emotional conversations part of daily life. This could include a check in about highs and lows for the day in order to start a conversation about emotions. Encourage your child to name and express their feelings by asking open-ended questions like:
“What was something that made you happy/sad today?”
“Is anything worrying you right now?”
2. Teach Coping Skills
Help your child identify and practice strategies for managing stress. These might include:
Deep breathing exercises or mindfulness activities (check out Mindful.org for activities)
Drawing, journaling, or playing music
Physical activity or outdoor play
Talking to a trusted adult
3. Set Predictable Routines
Routines create a sense of safety and control, which are especially important for kids prone to anxiety or emotional overwhelm. Try to maintain consistent sleep schedules, mealtimes, and family rituals—even during busy seasons.
4. Model Healthy Mental Habits
Your child watches how you handle stress. Show them that it’s okay to take a break, ask for help, or talk about your feelings. When you care for your own mental health, you're teaching them to do the same.
Signs Your Child Might Be Struggling
Some mental health symptoms in kids look different from those in adults. Be alert to these signs, especially if they persist for more than two weeks:
Sudden mood swings or excessive irritability
Withdrawal from friends or family
Trouble sleeping or changes in appetite
Loss of interest in favorite activities
Excessive worry or fear
Frequent stomachaches or headaches with no medical reason
Trouble concentrating or decline in school performance
Thoughts or talk of self-harm or hopelessness
If you’re concerned, start by talking with your child’s pediatrician. You can also contact a school counselor or licensed mental health professional.
Resources to Support You
Professional Organizations & Help Lines
Child Mind Institute – A top resource for parents, including symptom checkers and treatment options
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 for 24/7 support
Books for Parents
The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson Explores how children's brains develop and how parents can guide emotional regulation.
Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child by John Gottman Teaches how to recognize and respond to children’s emotions in a supportive way.
Permission to Feel by Dr. Marc Brackett A practical guide to fostering emotional literacy and regulation.
What Happened to You? by Dr. Bruce Perry & Oprah Winfrey Offers a trauma-informed view of child development and emotional healing.
When we prioritize mental health just as we do physical health, we’re giving our children the full foundation they need to thrive—not just survive. The earlier we recognize emotional struggles and offer tools to handle them, the more resilient, confident, and compassionate our kids will become. Mental health is not a luxury—it’s essential.
And remember, you don’t have to have all the answers. Being present, curious, and willing to seek support already makes you the parent your child needs.
ADHD - Autism - Executive Functioning - Learning Disorders
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