Mental Health Fundamentals for Parents: Expert Answers to Common Questions and Concerns

Parenting brings countless questions, and when it comes to mental health, many parents often feel uncertain or even a little anxious. You’re not alone—every parent wonders how to best support their child’s emotional well-being.

In this Q&A, parenting expert Dr Shelja Sen answers some of the most common questions parents ask, offering clarity, reassurance, and practical advice. Think of this as a safe space to find guidance, break myths, and learn how small everyday steps can make a big difference in your child’s mental health journey.

Why parents need to prioritise children’s mental health

Q: Parents usually tend to prioritise physical health over mental health. How important is it for them to be aware of their children's mental health? Is there enough awareness about it in our country?

A: Parents need to be aware of their children's emotional well-being and developmental needs. As far as our country is concerned, there is awareness, but only in certain pockets. We need to make children's mental health a priority across the country, at all levels of the socio-economic strata. We need to remove stigmas and streamline the discussions on this topic. This could be done through media, workshops in schools, awareness programmes for parents, teachers, and all agencies involved with children.

The impact of modern lifestyles on children’s mental well-being

Q: In today's fast-paced world, children are exposed to a whole host of distractions. Does this make them more susceptible to poor mental health?

 A: Yes, there is an excessive use of gadgets, the Internet, and social media. Some children suffer from Internet addiction, and also those who get violent if their gadgets are taken away from them. However, we need to be aware that many times, children who start depending on gadgets excessively have an underlying mental health problem. It is the same case with junk food and unhealthy sleeping habits. This is where parents play a big role in regulating healthier lifestyles.

Helping children understand mental health

Q: How can parents make their children aware of mental well-being and health?

A: Parents can create awareness in their children by first building their own awareness. Depending on the age of the child, they can talk to them in the following ways:

• Using stories, movies, and TV programmes for discussions on the main characters and their feelings.
• Sharing their own experiences on when they felt hurt, angry, or scared, and what they did to cope with such feelings.
• Teaching them to accept their struggles and difficulties and not expect them to be perfect at everything.
• Explaining how each person is different and how it helps to make the world a more interesting place.
• The most important point parents should keep in mind is to listen to children when they talk about their problems without getting judgmental or blaming them.

Factors That Affect a Child’s Mental Health

Q: What factors affect a child's mental health?

A:

• Family history of mental health problems
• Family conflicts
• Academic problems
• Relationship issues
• Trauma, abuse, etc.

Common mental health conditions in children and teens

Q: How are mental disorders diagnosed in young children? Are there any mental disorders or conditions that are commonly seen in children and teens?

A: We use specific tests such as DSM-5 or ICD-10 to diagnose mental health problems.

Common conditions include depression, anxiety, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), refusal to attend school, ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, etc.

Treatment approaches for children with mental health challenges

Q: How are children with mental health problems treated? Are they treatable at all?

A: No mental health disorder is untreatable. We follow a multimodal, multidisciplinary approach to work with children and adolescents, where the professionals involved could be:

• Child and adolescent psychologists
• Child and adolescent psychiatrists
• Occupational therapists
• Developmental therapists
• Psychotherapists
• Speech and Language Therapists
• Special Educators

We have various therapeutic approaches, which include family therapy, parenting, CBT, play therapy, group therapy, and therapy using expressive arts.

Lifestyle habits that support mental health

Q: What lifestyle changes do you recommend to enhance a child's mental health?

A: Parents must ensure that children follow a routine, adopt regular sleep patterns, have a healthy diet, exercise well, have opportunities for socialising, enjoy family bonding, and most of all, are given enough play time.

The role of schools in nurturing emotional well-being

Q: What role does a school play in ensuring that the child enjoys good mental health?

A: The school plays a huge role in providing an emotionally safe space for children to grow, develop, express themselves, learn, and take risks. Children need a community that accepts them for who they are, cares for their well-being, and gives them a sense of belonging—no matter what their ability, disability, appearance, class, caste, religion, or gender. Therefore, when children go through emotional difficulties, it is important that the school and parents come together to support them rather than blame them or each other.

The Five Anchors of Parenting

Q: In your book, All You Need is Love: The Art of Mindful Parenting, you have mentioned the five anchors of parenting. Can you brief us about it?

A: The five anchors of parenting are Connect, Coach, Care, Community, and Commit. They are all interlinked and flow from one to another.

Connection is the foundation—laying down nourishing soil replete with love, worthiness, joy, recognition, and positive energy.

Coaching is about building necessary life skills in children through an understanding of their unique wiring.

Caring is about nurturing ourselves for a more wholesome life. Community is about building caring ecosystems for children to live in.

Commitment is about sustaining courage and compassion for our whole-hearted journey of parenting.

The Inspiration Behind 'Children First'

Q: Children First is a very different initiative and one that has grabbed attention. What inspired you to take up such a cause?

A: My husband, who is a child and adolescent psychiatrist, and I were very keen to set up a child and adolescent mental health services centre when we returned to Delhi from the UK in 2003. Our inspiration came from the amazing children and their families we had been meeting every day in our respective professions. Also, our goal was not just to set up services for children with mental health difficulties; we also wanted to build awareness and sensitise people about children's emotional needs. Children First is a child and adolescent mental health institute where we offer clinical services, early intervention care for children with autism, school mental health programmes, community outreach, and training programmes. The vision is simple, as expressed in our tagline—building a community of concern for all children.

Every parent’s journey with their child’s mental health will look a little different—and that’s okay. What matters most is staying open, observant, and compassionate, while knowing when to reach out for help. By asking questions, breaking the silence, and seeking guidance, you’re already taking an important step toward supporting your child’s emotional well-being. Remember, you don’t have to have all the answers—just being present, patient, and willing to learn makes a world of difference.

Key takeaways for parents

• Mental health is as important as physical health—early awareness makes a big difference.

• Excessive gadget use, poor sleep, and junk food can sometimes signal deeper struggles.

• Talk openly with your child—use stories, real-life examples, and most importantly, listen without judgment.

• Watch for warning signs like ongoing sadness, anxiety, withdrawal, or refusal to attend school.

• Professional help works—therapy, school support, and lifestyle changes together create strong foundations.

• Parents and schools must partner to give children a safe, supportive environment.

Dr Shelja Sen is a child and adolescent psychologist, family therapist, author, and TED speaker, Delhi. 

Last updated on September 9, 2025