Children experience a wide range of emotions and challenges as they develop. However, if anxiety, sadness or unusual behaviour persist over a longer period of time, this can indicate mental health problems. In such situations, parents are often faced with the question of how they can best support their child.

The Verus Bonifatius Private Hospital, which specialises in parent-child treatment, offers affected families a safe place where both children and parents can receive professional support.

In this article, we help parents recognise mental health problems in their children at an early stage and respond appropriately.

Find out more about our hospital!

Common signs and symptoms

Mental health issues manifest themselves differently in children, depending on their age, temperament and individual experiences. While some children withdraw and show little interest in their hobbies, others react with tantrums or aggressive behaviour. Common signs of mental health issues can include:

Persistent sadness or low mood
Withdrawal from friends and family
Noticeable changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Excessive anxiety or worry
Outbursts of anger or unexplained aggression
Concentration problems and decline in school performance

Parents should be particularly alert if such behaviours persist for several weeks or severely interfere with daily routines.

Causes and risk factors

The development of mental health problems in children is often the result of a combination of factors. These include genetic predisposition, stressful life events or unfavourable environmental conditions. Common causes are:

Family stress: Conflicts, separations or a parent with mental health problems can have a significant impact on children.
Social challenges: Bullying, a lack of friends or high pressure to perform at school put children under stress.
Traumatic experiences: The loss of a loved one, accidents or other stressful experiences leave their mark on a child’s psyche.
Individual factors: Some children are more sensitive and more prone to anxiety or depressive moods.

It is important that parents do not dismiss mental health issues as a ‘phase’ but respond sensitively. The earlier appropriate support is provided, the better children can learn to deal with their feelings.

We support families in understanding the individual causes and finding ways to strengthen their children’s mental health together.

How parents can support their children in everyday life

Parents are the most important source of support for their children – especially when they are experiencing mental health issues. They can help their children feel understood and secure by promoting open communication, creating stability and developing strategies for coping with stress together. In practice, however, many parents find it difficult to deal with the emotional challenges and provide their children with the best possible support. It is not about perfection, but about creating reliable structures and making the child feel that they are not alone with their worries.

Empathetic communication and emotional security

Children need to feel that their fears, worries and problems are taken seriously. The way parents talk to them has a major influence on whether they gain confidence and open up. Empathetic communication creates emotional security and strengthens the child’s self-esteem.

Tips for supportive communication:

Active listening:

Let your child talk without interrupting.
Ask open-ended questions to encourage them to talk (‘What was particularly nice for you today?’).
Show that you are really listening by making eye contact, nodding or giving brief acknowledgements.

Validate feelings:

Acknowledge your child’s emotions without dismissing them (‘I can see that you’re sad, that’s perfectly okay’).
Avoid phrases such as ‘It’s not that bad’ or ‘Pull yourself together’, as these belittle feelings.
Help your child name their emotions (‘You seem angry, would you like to talk about it?’).

Introduce regular times for talking:

Use routines for quiet conversations, e.g. before bedtime or during a meal together.
Give your child the opportunity to choose when they want to talk.
Stay in touch even if your child withdraws – sometimes it takes time to open up.

Be a role model:

Be open about your own feelings to show your child that emotions are normal.
Show how you deal with stress or negative emotions by modelling healthy coping strategies.

Create structure and stability in everyday family life

Children who suffer from psychological stress benefit from a predictable and stable daily routine. Rituals and clear routines provide security and help reduce stress. These include:

Fixed meal and bedtimes: A regular daily routine provides structure and can reduce sleep problems, which are often associated with psychological stress.
Rituals for emotional closeness: Shared activities such as reading aloud, doing crafts or going for walks strengthen the parent-child relationship and offer an important break from everyday life.
Reliable rules: Clear boundaries and understandable rules give children stability – but it is important to communicate them with patience and empathy.

Stability and security for mentally distressed children

Learning to deal with stress and pressure

Children need to develop strategies for dealing with challenges, and parents play a crucial role in this. A first step is to look for solutions together. Instead of immediately giving their child ready-made advice, parents should actively involve them in the process. Questions such as ‘What could help you when you feel stressed?’ or ‘Is there anything that calms you down?’ can help develop individual coping strategies. Helpful techniques include deep breathing, relaxation exercises or creative activities such as painting or listening to music.

Another important aspect is modelling healthy stress management. Children look to their parents for guidance – if they remain calm in challenging situations and deal with their own emotions mindfully, children learn to apply similar strategies for themselves. Parents should consciously show how they deal with stress themselves, whether by taking deliberate breaks, expressing their feelings or finding constructive solutions in tense situations.

In addition, it is important to integrate exercise and relaxation into everyday life. Physical activity has been proven to help reduce stress and strengthen mental well-being. Sports such as swimming, cycling or dancing can stabilise children not only physically but also mentally. Yoga exercises or simple meditation methods can also help reduce anxiety and inner tension. Regular exercise combined with conscious relaxation phases help children develop a healthy balance between tension and relaxation.

Find out how you can strengthen your parent-child relationship!

When is professional help necessary?

Parents want to support their children in difficult times, but sometimes they reach their limits. While many psychological stresses can be overcome with parental support, there are cases where professional treatment is necessary. But when is the right time to seek help?

Early therapeutic support can prevent psychological problems from becoming chronic or worsening. It is particularly important to be attentive if your child’s behaviour changes over a longer period of time or if they are suffering greatly from their problems.

When should therapy be considered?

Not all conspicuous behaviour is a direct sign of serious mental illness. However, there are certain signs that indicate that professional support may be necessary:

Prolonged sadness or hopelessness that lasts for several weeks.
Extreme fears or excessive worries that significantly interfere with the child’s everyday life.
Outbursts of anger, aggression or self-harming behaviour that can no longer be controlled.
Social withdrawal, when the child suddenly loses interest in friends, hobbies or school.
Severe physical complaints with no apparent cause, such as stomach aches or headaches that occur repeatedly.
Eating or sleeping disorders that have a negative impact on the child’s health.
Problems at school or difficulty concentrating that cannot be resolved through tutoring or structure alone.
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide, which must always be taken seriously.

If parents notice one or more of these signs, it is advisable to consult a child and adolescent psychiatrist, therapist or specialist hospital.

Common mental illnesses in childhood

Children can suffer from a variety of mental illnesses. The most common include:

Anxiety disorders: These include social anxiety, separation anxiety or specific phobias. Children avoid situations that make them anxious, which leads to limitations in their everyday lives.
Depression: Lack of motivation, depressed mood and feelings of worthlessness are common symptoms.
ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder): Children with ADHD are often impulsive, restless and have difficulty concentrating.
Eating disorders: Anorexia, bulimia or binge eating also occur in children and adolescents and require intensive care.

Therapy methods for children & adolescents

Depending on the diagnosis and individual needs, there are various proven therapy methods that can be used with children:

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): One of the most commonly used methods for changing negative thought patterns and learning new coping strategies. Particularly effective for anxiety disorders, depression and ADHD.
Play therapy: Children often process experiences better through playful elements. Therapists use games, dolls or creative activities to encourage the child to express their feelings.
Family therapy interventions: Since a child’s mental illness often affects the entire family, the Verus Bonifatius Private Hospital works specifically with parents. In joint sessions, families learn to communicate better with each other and support each other.
Art and music therapy: Creative forms of expression help many children process their emotions and release inner tensions.

Learn more about the treatment methods at the Verus Bonifatius Private Hospital!

Support during therapy: The role of parents

Therapeutic treatment is not only an opportunity for children, but often also a challenge. They have to deal with their fears, emotions and possibly also traumatic experiences. During this time, they are particularly dependent on the support of their parents. However, many parents feel uncertain: How can I best support my child during therapy? How can I help them make progress?

Therapy works best when it is not only effective during the sessions, but also continues in everyday life. Parents play a central role here. At the Verus Bonifatius Private Hospital, which specialises in parent-child treatment, it is not only the child who is cared for, but the parents are also actively involved in the healing process. This is because mental illness never affects just one person – it has an impact on the whole family.

Cooperation with therapists and doctors

Close cooperation between parents, therapists and doctors is crucial for successful therapy. Parents should not see themselves as passive companions, but as active partners in their child’s treatment. It helps to talk openly about the child’s behaviour and challenges. The better professionals are informed about individual stresses, the more they can tailor the therapy to the individual needs of the child.

Another important aspect is supporting therapeutic measures in everyday life. Many therapeutic approaches include exercises or behaviours that should also be implemented outside of sessions. Parents can bridge the gap between therapy and everyday life by helping their child apply what they have learned – whether through small relaxation exercises, regular conversations or establishing new routines.

It is perfectly normal that not every method will work immediately. Therapy is a process with ups and downs. It is important for parents to remain patient and to value even small steps forward. Setbacks are not a sign of failure, but part of the learning process.

How parents can actively support the therapy process

Parents are the most important people in their child’s life and have a major influence on how successful therapy is. To support their child in the best possible way, parents can:

Remain empathetic: It is important to make your child feel that they are not alone with their worries. Open conversations and genuine interest in their progress will help.
Provide structure and stability: A regular daily routine with fixed rituals can provide security and reinforce what has been learned in therapy.
Reinforce positive behaviour: Praise your child for progress, no matter how small it may seem. Positive reinforcement motivates and strengthens self-confidence.
Avoid pressure: Progress does not happen overnight. Parents should be careful not to set excessive expectations, but rather respect their child’s individual development process.
Get support for yourself: Therapy can also be stressful for parents. Talking to other parents in the same situation or seeking psychological support for yourself can help you maintain your strength.

he importance of patience and long-term support

Therapy does not end with the last session – the healing process continues afterwards. Parents should be prepared for their child to continue to need guidance and support, even when initial successes are visible. It is often small changes in everyday life that have the greatest effect in the long term.

Long-term support means continuing to be mindful and attentive to the child even after therapy. If symptoms reappear, this should not be seen as a relapse, but as a sign that the child needs extra support during this phase. Stressful life situations such as changing schools, new social challenges or other changes can cause old patterns to resurface. In such cases, it is helpful to work with the child to develop strategies for coping with these phases.

Parents should also not underestimate how much they themselves can be affected by their child’s mental illness. Fear, feeling overwhelmed and uncertainty are completely normal in such situations.

Do you or your child need professional help? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

FAQ

How can I motivate my child to accept therapy if they don’t want to?

It is not unusual for children to be sceptical or resistant to therapy at first. It is important to proceed with patience and understanding. Explain to your child in simple terms why therapy can be helpful, without putting pressure on them. It often helps to emphasise positive aspects, such as the opportunity to discuss concerns with a neutral person or to learn new strategies that make everyday life easier. Playful approaches, which are used in many therapies for children, can also spark interest. If the rejection persists, it may be helpful to seek counselling for the parents first in order to develop appropriate strategies for dealing with the situation.

How can I support siblings when a child has a mental illness?

When a child has mental health problems, siblings are often affected too. They may feel neglected or sense the strain within the family. It is important to give them space to express their own feelings and explain to them that the illness has nothing to do with them. Setting aside time to spend with siblings, where they are the centre of attention, can help to ensure that their needs are not overlooked. Open communication, child-friendly explanations about the situation and a balance between supporting the child with mental health issues and their siblings are essential for maintaining a stable family environment.

What support is available for parents who feel overwhelmed by their child’s mental illness?

Parents are often under great emotional pressure when their child is mentally ill. Feelings such as guilt, helplessness or exhaustion are completely normal. In such cases, it can be helpful to seek support for yourself – whether through psychological counselling, self-help groups or talking to other parents in the same situation.

The Verus Bonifatius Private Hospital offers targeted parent-child therapies that support not only the affected child but also the parents. Here, they learn to cope with challenges, strengthen their own resources and develop healthy ways of dealing with stress and strain.

Published on: 17.07.2025