James Donaldson on Mental Health - Supporting vs Enabling

When matters are not clear-cut Unfortunately, mental health symptoms vary from day to day, so what’s possible for a kid to do one day may be impossible the next.

A depressed teen may, for example, muster the energy to do homework on Tuesday, then climb into bed overwhelmed by sadness on Wednesday.

An anxious kid might make it through the school day but then explode in the safety of home.

This shifting ground between ability and disability can make it difficult for parents to know what constitutes support and what enables mental health challenges to retain their grip.

Gauging what your child can and can’t do will always be a matter of observation, parental judgment, and trial and error.

However, your accuracy in predicting success will improve if you keep track of the circumstances surrounding when success occurs.

Often the good days are a function of basics, such as: Did your child have a solid night’s sleep ?

Did they eat enough food and drink enough fluid?

( bullying at school, change of routine, family strife, etc.) What’s on the horizon?

(upcoming exams, unpleasant anniversaries, stressful situations) Has medication has been taken regularly, or has there been a recent change in medication?