New eBook to help parents protect their children's mental health

A new resource from beyondblue and researchers from Monash University and The University of Melbourne will help parents reduce the risk of their primary school-aged children developing depression or anxiety.

The free eBooklet offers parents advice on how to distinguish ‘normal’ child behaviour from behaviour that could indicate more serious mental health conditions.  There are also practical strategies for parents to support their kids.

beyondblue CEO Georgie Harman said there are proactive things parents can do to reduce the likelihood of their children developing depression or anxiety.

“There are common risk factors for depression and anxiety in young people that may make them more likely to experience these conditions, such as family relationship breakdowns or conflict at home. There are also protective factors, like maintaining supportive relationships and a healthy lifestyle, which make children less likely to develop depression or anxiety,” she said.

“This eBooklet aims to open parents’ eyes as to how their behaviour can affect the mental health of their kids. Then they can try to adjust their behaviour accordingly.”

The eBooklet, How to reduce your child’s risk of depression and clinical anxiety, can be found at www.parentingstrategies.net.

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