How to Talk to Your Kids and Teens About Mental Health

Supportive tips for building trust, emotional literacy, and resilience—together.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness, break stigma, and prioritize emotional wellbeing at every age. Here at PYM, our goal this year (and always, really!) is to create space for open, vulnerable dialogue between generations around mental health.

As parents and caregivers, many of us want to support our children’s mental health, but we don’t always know how. What should we say? When should we bring it up? What if we say the wrong thing?

The truth is, there’s no perfect script—but opening the conversation is often the most powerful first step.

Recent studies show that 1 in 5 children and adolescents in the U.S. experience a mental health condition in a given year, and rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts have been steadily rising in youth, especially since the pandemic source: CDC, 2023. These conversations are no longer optional—they’re essential.

Here are nine gentle, research-backed ways to talk to your kids and teens about mental health in a way that builds connection, trust, and resilience.

1. Normalize mental health from an early age

Mental health isn’t something to bring up only when there’s a problem. Like physical health, it’s a part of everyday life—and it deserves to be treated that way. Talking about feelings regularly helps children understand that emotions are normal and manageable, not something to hide or be ashamed of.

You can create a healthy emotional culture in your home by checking in with your child’s emotional world just like you would their physical one. Ask how they’re feeling, encourage them to name emotions, and model that it's okay to talk about hard days. Phrases like, “Everyone has tough days sometimes,” or “It’s okay to feel sad, I’m here,” go a long way in building safety.

2. Choose the right time—and atmosphere

Timing is everything. If your child is upset, distracted, or in the middle of a stressful situation, it’s not the ideal moment to dive into deep emotional conversations. Instead, look for moments when you're already connected—during a walk, while cooking together, or in the car. Activities that allow side-by-side interaction often feel less intimidating and more natural for kids and teens.

It’s also helpful to make space without pressure. You don’t have to force a big sit-down talk. Sometimes the most meaningful conversations happen when they don’t feel like a “talk” at all.

3. Focus on listening more than fixing

It’s natural to want to jump into solution mode when our children are hurting. But often, what they need most is to be heard—not hurried toward a fix. When you respond with curiosity and empathy instead of advice, you help them feel seen and respected.

Try reflecting back what they say, validating their feelings, and holding space for silence. You might say, “That sounds really hard. I’m really proud of you for telling me,” or “I’m here with you, no matter what.” If they ask for help solving a problem, great. But often, the biggest gift you can give is your nonjudgmental presence.

4. Use open-ended questions to explore their inner world

Instead of asking “Are you okay?” or “How was school?”—which often elicit one-word responses—try questions that invite more depth and emotion. These could include:

• “What’s been on your mind lately?”

• “What’s something that made you feel proud or excited this week?”

• “If your mood were a weather report, what would it be today?”

These kinds of prompts encourage your child to connect to their emotions and share their internal world with you. It may take time, and that’s okay. Every time you ask, you’re reinforcing that their thoughts and feelings matter.

5. Share your own emotions in a grounded way

One of the most powerful ways to help your child feel comfortable talking about their emotions is to model it yourself. That doesn’t mean oversharing or placing adult problems on their shoulders—it simply means being real in an age-appropriate way.

For example, you might say, “I’ve been feeling stressed at work lately, so I’m making sure to take some deep breaths during the day.” This shows them that emotions are part of life, and that we can have healthy tools to manage them. It also invites them to be more honest about their own struggles without fear of judgment.

6. Address the topic of suicide with care and clarity

This is one of the most difficult but important conversations a parent can have. According to the CDC, suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth ages 10–14 and 15–24 (source). While it may feel scary to bring up, research shows that talking about suicide does not increase risk—it actually opens the door for support and intervention.

If your child is showing signs of depression, hopelessness, isolation, or saying things like “I wish I could disappear,” take it seriously. You can gently ask, “Have you ever had thoughts about hurting yourself or not wanting to be here?” If they say yes, don’t panic—but do act. Let them know you’re here for them, and reach out to a mental health professional immediately. The National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988.

7. Respect their pace and privacy

Not every child or teen is ready to open up immediately—and that’s okay. What matters is that they know they can come to you when they’re ready. You might say, “You don’t have to talk about it now, but I’m always here if something’s on your mind.” Let them feel in control of the timing while staying gently available.

Also remember that privacy matters, especially for teenagers. If they confide in you, honor that trust by not sharing what they’ve said with others unless it’s necessary for their safety.

8. Know when to seek professional support

Sometimes love and listening aren’t enough on their own—and that’s not a failure on your part. It just means it’s time to bring in additional support. If your child is consistently struggling with mood, energy, sleep, appetite, or daily functioning, consider reaching out to a therapist, school counselor, or pediatrician.

Let your child know that seeing a therapist is a sign of strength, not weakness—just like we see doctors for our bodies, we can see professionals who help with our minds. You might say, “Everyone needs support sometimes, and getting help is a really brave thing to do.”

9. Keep the conversation going—not just this month

Mental Health Awareness Month is a wonderful time to start the conversation, but ideally, these check-ins become an ongoing part of your relationship. Ask about emotions regularly. Celebrate small wins. Normalize reaching out for help. When your child knows their feelings matter, they’re more likely to speak up—and heal—when it counts.

Support Tools That Can Help

When it comes to emotional wellness, simple daily habits can make a big difference—for both kids and parents. That might include regular movement, time in nature, journaling, therapy, mindfulness practices, and in some cases, nutritional support.

For moments of stress, overwhelm, or emotional dysregulation, PYM Mood Chews offer a safe, science-backed option to help calm the nervous system. Made with amino acids like GABA and L-Theanine, they've helped hundreds of people feel calm and clear, without feeling drowsy.

PYM Mood Chews are FDA approved for people ages 14 and older. Please consult with your child's healthcare provider before adding supplements to their diet.

Final Words

You don’t have to have all the answers to be a powerful support for your child. Showing up with love, empathy, and a willingness to listen is enough. By making mental health a safe topic in your home, you're not only supporting your child now—you’re giving them lifelong tools for resilience, self-awareness, and connection.

Let May be the start of deeper conversations, stronger trust, and a more emotionally healthy future—for your whole family.