A Guide to Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health: The 3 C’s for Parents and Caregivers
The mental health of children and adolescents is an aspect that requires constant attention, not just in times of crisis.
The changes that come with age, the desire for independence, the pressure to fit in with social groups, and the influence of digital networks can have a profound impact on their well-being.
In the midst of these dynamics, the family plays a crucial role.
Dedicating quality time, listening with empathy, and offering support without judgment can make a difference in how young people face the challenges of daily life.
The problem is that, in a fast-paced routine, many parents and caregivers find it difficult to initiate meaningful conversations about emotions and mental health.
To address this need, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) developed the guide of the 3 C’s: Curiosity, Concrete, and Compassion.
This is a simple and practical framework that seeks to strengthen communication between parents and children.
Its purpose is clear: to create homes where what we feel is talked about openly, to identify accessible resources, and to provide compassionate support.
Applying these principles can improve family trust, prevent crises, and give children the certainty that they are not alone.
Recent Data on Young People and Mental Health
The conversation about mental health in the family is not an isolated topic.
Today it is backed by surveys and studies that show the magnitude of the challenge in children and adolescents.
- A Pew Research Center survey (2024–2025) found that:
- 48% of adolescents believe that social media has a primarily negative effect on their peers’ mental health, compared to 32% in 2022.
- In addition, 45% admit to spending too much time online, and almost half have recently tried to reduce their use.
- While positive aspects like connection and creativity are highlighted, concern about the impact on self-esteem and sleep prevails.
- Pew Research – Teens, Social Media and Mental Health (2025)
- According to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (CDC, 2023):
- Around 95% of high school students use social media, and one in five does so “almost constantly.”
- This excessive use is linked to higher risks of depression, suicidal ideation, and digital bullying.
- CDC – Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2023)
- An academic review published in 2025, with data from more than 50,000 young people, concluded that:
- Screen use of 4 hours or more a day increases the risk of anxiety (45%), depression (65%), and ADHD.
- These effects are explained, in part, by lack of sleep and reduced physical activity.
- Estudio académico – Screen Time and Mental Health (2025)
These findings reaffirm the need for parents to have open and constant conversations with their children about their emotional well-being.
The 3 C’s for Parents and Caregivers
1. Curiosity: Opening the door to dialogue
The first C invites us to be curious and observant.
This means paying attention to changes in children’s mood or routines, and then initiating conversations with empathy.
It’s not about interrogating, but about opening a safe space.
Examples of useful phrases are:
- “You seem sadder at night. Do you want to explore together why that’s happening?”
- “I’ve noticed you don’t enjoy your favorite activities as much anymore. What do you think might be going on?”
- “Do you remember the last time you felt like that? What was happening around you?”These simple questions, accompanied by active listening, help children feel validated and understood.
2. Concrete: Identifying clear and real supports
The second C refers to the concrete—that is, the tangible and accessible resources that families can use to strengthen mental health.
Talking about emotional health in practical terms eliminates the stigma and shows that asking for help is normal and positive.
Some ideas include:
- Establishing family routines that include moments of self-care.
- Knowing the local and national helplines available 24 hours a day.This approach allows children and adolescents to know that there are always tools and people willing to support them.
3. Compassion: Listening with empathy
The third C is compassion, a reminder that children need to feel heard without judgment or interruption.
This involves using language that recognizes their emotions and fosters trust.
Key recommendations:
- Thank them when they share something difficult: “Thank you for trusting me and telling me.”
- Repeat what you hear to show attention: “What I understand is that you feel…”
- Avoid assumptions; every experience is unique.
- Accept silences, as often the child will talk more if they feel you are truly listening.
- Stay calm, even if what they share is painful. Showing serenity encourages them to continue opening up in the future.
The Challenge for Young Parents and Modern Parenting
Many young parents grew up in contexts where talking about mental health was not common.
Today they face the challenge of raising children in an environment full of digital stimuli, academic pressures, and social risks.
In this context, some families resort to permissive parenting, which, although it seeks to protect, can limit deep conversations and leave children without the necessary support.
The 3 C’s become a practical tool for overcoming these barriers and strengthening communication at home.
Available Resources in Massachusetts
If you observe that your child shows signs of anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts, remember that there are free and confidential resources:
We invite you to visit our virtual fair at www.myhealthfair.com, explore our blog with specialized articles on mental health, and meet our vendors https://myhealthfair.com/category/salud-mental/
Other resources:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – 988 | 988lifeline.org
- NAMI Massachusetts – (617) 704-6264 | www.namimass.org
- Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) – 833-773-2445 | www.masshelpline.com
- Health Care For All (HCFA) – 1-800-272-4232 | www.hcfama.org
- Samaritans, Inc. – 877-870-4673 | www.samaritanshope.org
- Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST Team) – 1-800-981-4357 | www.bmc.org/psychiatry/best-team
- La Alianza Hispana – (617) 427-7175 | www.laalianza.org
- Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI) – 1-800-841-2900 | www.mass.gov/childrens-behavioral-health-initiative-cbhi
- Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) – Psychiatry & Behavioral Health – (617) 665-1000 | www.challiance.org
- Boston Medical Center – Child & Adolescent Psychiatry – (617) 414-4238 | www.bmc.org/psychiatry/child-adolescent
For more details, consult the full document “The Three C’s for Parents and Guardians” from NAMI.
