We need a commitment from parents and caregivers to help children understand their feelings before those feelings grow and become too difficult for a young person to navigate them.
In 2023, 2024 and 2025, Penguin Random House published a series of books (A kids book about…) in the UK addressing the special needs of young people. The books are simple. Clear. Direct. They can be read by adults to young children. Or early readers can read them independently. A key message is “First of all know you’re not alone. There is nothing shameful about needing help with your mental health.” Mental health begins before we are born. As our brains are developing there are things that contribute to our mental health.
September is Suicide Prevention Month. It is also an opportunity to focus on our children and help them achieve a healthy mental outlook.
It is acknowledged around the world in an effort to reduce (or eliminate) the stigma associated with suicide. It is also a time for us to stop and reflect on mental illness overall. Who is affected by mental illness? What are the causes? What are some preventive steps we can take? What are the cures? As individuals. As family members. As part of a larger global community.
Let’s take some time to pause and reflect on these questions. Mental illness does not happen overnight. It begins – sometimes slowly – and grows over time.
We often think of mental illness and mental well being as an adult issue. But at Athenies Angels we want to highlight that the onset can happen at any time at any age.
This month we will focus on how to identify issues in our children. And how to protect them by guiding them to a life of wellness.
In Australia, one in seven children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 experience a mental health disorder in any given year. Half of all lifetimes mental health problems begin before the age of 14 with early symptoms appearing by age five. 20% of the Australian is aged under 18 years. We are still reeling from COVID effects and need to be diligent and persistent in identifying what our children need and securing help for them. We may still be experiencing difficulty securing appointments for our children as a continuing negative effect of Covid resulting in the demand for help outweighing the supply. More information on this is available on Australian Government web sites, such as www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au/projects/childrens-strategy
We need a commitment from parents and caregivers to help children understand their feelings before those feelings grow and become too difficult for a young person to navigate them.
In 2023, 2024 and 2025, Penguin Random House published a series of books (A kids book about…) in the UK addressing the special needs of young people. The books are simple. Clear. Direct. They can be read by adults to young children. Or early readers can read them independently. A key message is “First of all know you’re not alone. There is nothing shameful about needing help with your mental health.” Mental health begins before we are born. As our brains are developing there are things that contribute to our mental health.
A KIDS BOOK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
If we talk to our kids about their mental health, they will not think that mental illness/health is embarrassing, scary or shameful. Open conversations can help them develop the skills they need when they begin to feel worried.
Mental health includes our experiences, our thoughts, our feelings, our behaviours and our interactions with other people. When thoughts, feelings, behaviours and interactions become difficult to manage, that may suggest some trouble with our mental health. If the difficulty persists and gets in the way of our happiness and being able to live productive lives, we may be entering the arena of mental illness, which has many, many different diagnoses. That’s when we need professional input. But it starts at home and at school with caring, guiding adults.
A KIDS BOOK ABOUT THERAPY
In therapy children can learn about themselves, their thought, their feelings. It’s about talking to a professional who has the expertise to help. They are kind of like coaches for your thoughts and feelings. It can help our children build the understanding, skills and confidence to address their concerns. It is healing and empowering.
A KIDS BOOK ABOUT DEPRESSION
Depression causes our brains to feel sad, discouraged and lonely.
A KIDS BOOK ABOUT BRAIN HEALTH
Brain health is how the brain thrives, it includes problem solving, learning, relaxing, sensing, memory, concentration, laughing and so many things. We can exercise our brains to keep them healthy by staying curious and reading and solving puzzles and going on adventures. And talk about feelings. And eat nutritious foods. And get proper amounts of sleep.
A KIDS BOOK ABOUT OCD
(OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER)
This is when a person’s thoughts are recurring and often distressing. This can be scary and keep our children from enjoying things. We can help our children learn to manage these thoughts and behaviours.
A KIDS BOOK ABOUT ADHD
(ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER)
The brains of people with ADHD process information in a unique way. Sometimes they have trouble sitting still. Or have trouble concentrating. Or be forgetful and misplace things. We can help our children understand themselves better. And love themselves as they are.
KEY POINTS
Our children’s health is important to them. And to us.
Some key points are:
- Get help for problems early on to reduce problems at home, in school and in forming friendships
- The first step is to talk with your child’s primary care physician or a mental health specialist for an evaluation
- A mental health professional can develop a therapy plan that works best for the child and the family
Finding the right therapy can be challenge. But there are experts out there who can help once an evaluation is complete. Talk to teachers at the child’s school, A primary care physician, health insurance providers, trusted family and friends.
There are some steps we can all take:
- Physical activity: aerobic and/or vigorous exercise
- Maintaining a healthy diet include fruits, grains, protein
- Get proper sleep – every day
- Strengthen relationships with friends, family, school mates, and the community
- We need to tell our children is it ok to not feel ok. We are there to help them and remind them that it is ok to not be ok. Then get the real help and support they need. In other words – break the stigma.
- Let’s also encourage them to adopt healthy behaviours, such as:
-
- Spend time with people who make you feel good
- Talk more
- Add more activity to your day
- Take the stairs instead of the lift
- Act when you don’t feel well (there are medical professionals who can help you)
- Refocus on what is good and what we need to be healthy and whole.
As always, Athenie’s Angels is here to help you all through both good times and bad. Be sure to visit our web site www.atheniesangels.org.au where we offer resources and information on our community-based programs.
Visit us on our social media platforms as another source for guidance and inspiration.
News
Journey to Joy 2026 is coming — Sunday 25 October
Save the date: Journey to Joy 2026 is happening on Sunday 25 October, from 11am to 2pm, at Monash Community Hall, 142 Drummond Street, Oakleigh.
This year’s line-up brings together therapists, doctors, and suicide survivors, sharing honest, practical stories about navigating tough times both for young people and for the people who love them.
This year, we’re aiming for 100 people in the room, and $15,000 raised to fund our 2027 programs, namely our Financial Empowerment, Emotional Intelligence, Compassion Building programs reaching migrant women, international students, and young people and their families who need support.
Here’s how you can help us get there:
Come along and bring a friend or two. The more people in the room, the more this day can mean. Limited space available. Book your tickets now at https://events.humanitix.com/journey-to-joy-2026
Can’t make it on the day? A donation of any size keeps our programs running: https://gofund.me/3ea7a87fc. All donations over $10 will receive a tax-deductible receipt. We can’t wait to see you there.
We are a space of hope!