How can we better support caregivers and the children in their care?

Each year Smiling Mind checks in on the wellbeing of Australians through our State of Mind survey. The 2024 report focuses on the mental health of Australian children aged 4-12 and their caregivers.

This year’s report uncovered the intrinsic link between parent/caregiver mental health and child wellbeing. 

While the 2024 State of Mind report showed high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among Australian families, the findings also showed that regular practice of mental fitness strategies improves wellbeing for both children and parents. Just like how physical fitness improves our physical health, practising mental fitness skills can strengthen our emotional and psychological capabilities. This helps us manage stress, improve focus, and maintain healthy relationships. Building mental fitness skills can enhance our overall wellbeing, resilience, and ability to navigate life’s challenges.

Try these wellness tips for caregivers to better manage stress, so you can show up in the best possible way for those in your care.

Top tips for adults caring for children

Adults who care for children play a vital role in shaping their development. To do this effectively, prioritising your own mental health and wellbeing is a bit like fitting your own oxygen mask first.

Smiling Mind's Mental Fitness Model is all about practical guidance that is easy to fit into your day-to-day. 

• By practising mindfulness, we can cultivate a calm and present mindset, making it easier to engage more fully with the people around us.

• Flexible thinking helps us to practise foster resilience and adapt to the challenges of caregiving.

• Growing connections with others provides essential support and community, while acting purposefully instils a sense of direction and meaning in our daily activities.

• Finally, recharging the body through self-care ensures that we have the physical energy needed to nurture and inspire the people in our care.

Prioritising these elements ultimately benefits caregivers and children, creating a healthier, more positive environment for growth and learning.

Top tips for kids and families 

Looking after children's mental health and wellbeing is a big part of their overall development and happiness. By applying Smiling Mind's Mental Fitness Model, we can foster a supportive environment for children. 

• Teaching them to live mindfully encourages awareness and emotional regulation, helping them navigate their feelings.

• Flexible thinking promotes resilience, allowing kids to learn how to adapt to change and challenges with confidence.

• Growing connections with peers and trusted adults strengthens their social skills and emotional support networks.

• Acting purposefully helps children understand their goals and values, fostering a sense of direction and achievement.

• Encouraging them to recharge their bodies through healthy habits ensures they have the energy and vitality to engage fully in life.

There are lots of practical strategies you can use at home to help your child’s mental wellbeing (and your own); hopefully some of these work for you! You can find more tips for parents and kids to practise mental fitness in the Smiling Mind Generation Hub.