How to approach conversations with your child about mental health, bullying

COLUMBUS, Ohio — As families across central Ohio prepare for the back-to-school season, mental health experts are encouraging parents to take a proactive role in protecting their children’s emotional well-being.

While the first day of school brings excitement for many students, it can also bring anxiety, peer pressure, and in some cases, the harsh reality of bullying.

Bullying isn’t always easy to spot, especially when your child is feeling embarrassed to bring it up to you. 10TV spoke to A’yanna Hall, the program director at St. Vincent Family Services in Columbus, to explain why. 

According to the program’s website, it is one of Ohio’s leading providers in pediatric behavioral healthcare, serving children and their families from preschool through high school.

“When it comes to bullying, it hits our ego and our feelings,” Hall said. “A lot of times, it kind of comes with a feeling of guilt and shame, so kids don’t really express it even though they’ve done nothing wrong.”

So, don’t always expect your child to come out and say they’re being bullied. Instead, watch for behavior changes, if they’ve suddenly become withdrawn or avoid talking about their day at school. You may also notice your child mention that they are struggling to make friends.

Hall said it’s crucial for parents to create an environment where kids feel safe opening up without fear of blame or judgment.

“I feel like that’s the first thing we can do, is just make sure they know that you can talk to me and I’m not going to shame you. I’m not going to say you did anything wrong,” she said.

Also, bullying isn’t just face to face. Cyberbullying can be even harder to detect because some kids can have multiple social media accounts that their parents may be unaware of.

“A lot of — some of those are their spam accounts where they get to just post silly things,” Hall said. “But those are also often the accounts that they tend to bully or say mean things to, so trying to be vigilant enough to try to pick up on that.”

She recommends parents stay engaged and keep showing up.

“But trying to also build that trust so it doesn’t feel like an invasion of privacy, but just, ‘I care about you, so sometimes, I’m going to be in your business.'”

Hall said if you don’t think your conversations are enough to solve the issue, St. Vincent Family Services offers resources for families. This includes therapy, prevention services, and even help with how to start difficult conversations.

“If we can, in any way, give you resources that either help answer questions for you or just give you different things that can maybe even empower what you’re already doing, we just want to amplify that,” Hall said.