The power of affirmations for children and young people’s mental health

As we know, a child’s mental health is paramount for their overall wellbeing. Good mental health allows children to think clearly, develop socially and learn new skills. But how can this be achieved? In some cases, children will need professional help to help them overcome trauma. In other cases, good practices at home might help the child nurture their mental health. Good friends and encouraging words from adults are also all important for helping children develop self-confidence, high self-esteem, and a healthy emotional outlook on life. 

Basics for a child’s good mental health:

• feeling unconditionally loved by caregivers
• the opportunity to play with other children
• encouraging teachers and supportive caretakers
• safe and secure surroundings
• appropriate guidance and discipline
• developing self-confidence and high self-esteem.

Love, security and acceptance should be at the heart of family life. Children need to know that your support does not depend on their accomplishments. Mistakes and/or defeats should be expected and accepted. Confidence grows in a home where children feel unconditionally loved, supported and nurtured. 

Encourage affirmations and incorporate them into their routine

Children are never too young or old to start learning tools that will nurture their mental health and elevate their self-worth. One simple tool that can be used are affirmations. Short and simple positive phrases often work best for children. Giving your child or young person space to come up with their own phrases can be a powerful way for them to see their own greatness! If your child struggles with self-confidence, have them come up with three things they like about themselves, e.g. ‘I am kind. I am hardworking. I am funny.’ 

If they have a hard time thinking of qualities, it might be helpful to have a list of words handy to choose from. Young Positive Minds have free downloadable documents which can be used for this method. However, in the meantime, here are a few example affirmations to get you started on. 

• I am strong
• I believe in myself
• I matter
• I am happy
• I am deserving 
• I am unique 
• I am enough
• I am loved
• I love myself 

Examples of affirmation for teenagers

Teenagers can be more closed off and might not  get involved as often, but affirmations work equally as well. Being a teenager brings lots of challenges. It is important to allow them ownership of how their affirmation will look like. If they are happy to engage in a conversation, make sure to give them the floor to lead the discussion and you will find that your teenager will begin to tell you about how they are feeling, more on how their day went (the highs or/and lows). Often, these discussions are best held on a walk or in the car, where they are beside you instead of opposite you which can feel threatening. Once this conversation begins you can get involved by praising them on what they did well –  this could be a success with a subject, mock exams, a situation they handled etc.

Not only are you praising them, you are also coaching them on the elements they perhaps need more guidance on (i.e., - what could have been done better). By doing this, you are doing the following:

• nurturing them into their adult stage. Showing them what's right and wrong by using what they have done in real time
• without realising using positive affirmations to praise and tell them what great characteristics they have
• create an opportunity for you as the caregiver to speak about mental wellbeing and coping tools and 
• allowing a friendship to be formed between you and the young person you look after. This will in time tell them that your door is always open for a discussion whenever they need you.

In the UK, one in seven primary school aged children had a diagnosable mental illness in 2020 and 1,5 million children are predicted to need new or extra mental health support as a result of the pandemic. Nurturing children’s and young people’s confidence and self-esteem is an important first step to equip them with the tools they need to maintain or achieve good mental health. Each child is different, learn together what tools can assist them to reach their greatness!

You can find out more about Young Positive Minds on their website and on Instagram. 

For more information on the health and wellbeing of children in care, please visit our health and wellbeing hub.