How to Explain Emotional Disturbance to Parents
Although you might have been coping with your own child's emotional problems for years, it's still challenging to explain her problems to other parents who are unfamiliar with mental illness. Your child's peers have probably grown to accept her for the person she is, but adults less familiar with your child might have concerns, fears or uncertainty as to how to act around her. Learn some talking points you can use to explain your child's issues and needs to parents you encounter.
Instructions
Choose who you want to share information with. For example, you aren't going to tell every parent you encounter that your child has emotional problems, but you might want to share the information with some parents in your child's class. Decide how much information you want to disclose. You shouldn't tell every parent in your child's class the full details of your child's condition, but you'll want to share more details with those parents whose children have befriended your daughter. Respond to quizzical looks, indirect comments or judgmental statements in a nonemotional, fact-based way. Sometimes just stating the facts can de-escalate a potentially troubling circumstance before it develops. If a parent calls your child a name, for example, you can calmly look at her and state, "My child is working through some issues now and needs support." Explain your child's illness. Explain what your child̵7;s specific condition is, what the symptoms are and what treatments are available. Include conditions that could trigger symptoms for her, such as stress, teasing or bullying. Keep in mind that most parents don't learn a lot about mental illness until they meet someone who has it. Use positive words. Using words such as hope, wellness, challenge and recovery, for example, will help other parents re-frame their view of your child and give them the language necessary when talking with their own children, according to Niagara's Mental Health Anti-Stigma Campaign. Listen to what the other parents have to say, even if it's negative. Their responses might be driven by fear and getting defensive can make matters worse. Sometimes just letting another parent voice her beliefs out loud will give her an opportunity to examine and perhaps discard some old ways of thinking. Solicit other parents' cooperation. Nothing turns a foe into a friend faster than asking her for help. Share what techniques you and your child's therapist have developed and ask the other parent to participate in reinforcing your efforts. You can say something along the lines of, "Do me a favor. If you see Amy getting worked up over something remind her to take three deep breaths. We do this at home and it works wonders.̶1; Encourage parents to ask you questions. If appropriate, give the parent your phone number and encourage her to call you if an issue mental health issue arises.
