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In the face of growing mental health struggles among children, hope emerges as a vital tool. Lindner Center of HOPE child psychologist Elisha Eveleigh, PhD, discusses why having hope is important and shares the benefits of a hopeful mindset.
What is hope, anyway?
Put simply, hope is the belief that something good can happen even when things are hard. Eveleigh points out that hope is different from optimism. “[Hope] involves setting goals, finding pathways to these goals, and having the motivation or agency needed to move toward the goals and find ways around barriers,” says Eveleigh. Someone can still have hope without being optimistic. For example, you can hope the kids will have dinner ready when you get home from work, even if you’re not optimistic.
Key mental health benefits of hope for children
“Hopelessness is a serious symptom for people with depression,” says Eveleigh. “Lacking hope for the future hinders people from efforts to change their circumstances. Cultivating hope provides a sense of agency or motivation to get through the challenges of life.” Benefits of hope in children include:
• Academic achievement from kindergarten through college
• Less anxiety, stress, and depression, and the ability to see challenges as temporary
• More likely to help others
• Positive self-esteem
• Better social skills
• Better test scores
• Setting higher goals for themselves
• A stronger sense of purpose and meaning in life
• Higher levels of optimism
• Better coping with physical injury or disease
Signs that a child may be struggling with hope and mental wellness
• Loss of interest in activities they enjoy
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Not doing as well in school
• Problems getting along with other children at school
• Difficulty sleeping
• Trouble getting out of bed
• Not going to school
• Increased headaches or stomach aches
• Trouble paying attention
• Defiant or aggressive behavior
• Frequent sadness or tearfulness
• Worry about separating from parents and parent safety
• Fear that others are judging them
How can caregivers help children develop and practice the skill of hope?
Hope can be taught! Eveleigh says it’s important to discuss the future with children and help them set realistic, attainable goals and encourage them to identify paths around barriers to their goals. This promotes a mindset of problem-solving and encourages perseverence.. “Anxiety, sadness, and fear challenge the development of hope,” says Eveleigh. “I’ve seen numerous children in my office who suffer at school because they worry that one mistake will lead to failing the class, and then the whole school year, and then all of life. At the Lindner Center of HOPE, we work with children to engage in more helpful thinking, to move away from despair or negative self-talk and even to have excitement for the future.”
Get your child screened and seek professional help
If you suspect your child needs professional help, contact Lindner Center of HOPE and visit the Lindner Center of HOPE website to learn more about screening and treatment for mental wellness for your child.
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