Youth Emotional Support Book Series Frequently Asked Questions

Thanks for showing an interest in the That's Okay children's mental health book. I enjoyed creating this guide to feelings and emotions which provides a fun way for children to learn more about them.

Each colourfully vibrant creature in the book has been designed with entertainment and education in mind. They each display an emotion that can be related to, from happy to sad, angry to shy. Through these engaging hand-drawn cartoons, your child will enjoy spending time with you while you learn together.

You can learn more about the book below, as well as more about children's mental health.

What is That's Okay?

That's Okay is a book designed for children aged between 4 and 8 years old. There are a number of friendly creatures inside, each experiencing an emotion. With each character, the feeling and emotion is described, mentioning various physical and psychological sensations that can be felt or things someone might like to do. 

There is also a description of when an emotion might occur, for example you may feel happy if it's a special day, like your birthday. With these simple descriptions, the book aims to help a child easily recognise how they are feeling. By making them comfortable with emotions, knowing they are all okay, they are more likely to communicate about what they are experiencing.

Why did you make That's Okay?

Over the last few years, I have gone through bouts of anxiety and depression. I currently medicate to help me manage, which is a great support. But for me, sometimes it isn't enough. I've dipped in and out of therapy over the last few years, but it's only recently I have stuck with one for over a year.

Through therapy, I was helped to identify that I don't really recognise emotions. At times, I wasn't sure if I was upset or angry, happy or just okay. I also didn't know why I felt certain ways. As a result, I had to teach myself how to recognise them, which has helped with my mental health massively. 

I am fortunate enough to have incredible parents, and how they have brought me up has put me in a privileged position. Our culture is great for many things for the upbringing of children - education, health and community. However, it falls short in normalising emotions. We grow up to prioritise our work over our mental health, suppressing emotions and pretending everything is okay.

Even with the hard work and dedication of my parents, our society did not gear me up for being emotional. I am sensitive to many things, and I had to try and put my emotions to one side. Sometimes I wasn't able to.

So I made this book to try and counter what I believe to be a problem in our society. I don't think anyone is to blame, it's just how things are structured. I want to normalise emotions, so we all feel comfortable talking about them and can then help each other. And I think by teaching children about them, they will learn far sooner than I did.

What is children's mental health about?

Children's mental health is a term that refers to the psychological well-being of children and adolescents. It usually includes social, emotional, and cognitive development.

There are many factors that can affect a child's mental health. These include family life, relationships with friends and teachers, academic performance, bullying and other traumatic experiences.

There is a mental health issue that is affecting the world’s children and it is not being talked about enough. Mental health issues are prevalent in adults, but when it comes to children, these issues can be exacerbated.

The That's Okay children's emotions book for 4 - 8 year olds aims to help support children, so they can learn about their feelings. Hopefully this will enable them to communicate with their parent, teacher or counsellor to prevent any mental health issues in adulthood.

Why is children's mental health important?

Children’s mental health is important because it is the foundation for their future. If they are not in a good mental state, then it can be challenging for them to be successful in life. It affects children’s physical health, cognitive development and social skills.

A child starts to develop their own self-image, which is influenced by the way they are treated by others. This can have a significant impact on their mental health in later life.

There are many ways that we can help children with their mental health, but one of the most important things is to make sure that they have a healthy relationship with themselves and others.

One prime resource are children's mental health, emotions and feelings books. More and more are coming out all the time, which is great. But it can also overwhelm people, unsure with which option would benefit their child the best. 

It all depends on the child and the parent, but it's good to do your research when looking into an emotions book to find out how it helps. For example, That's Okay is a children's book that explores emotions. As a picture book, it displays various fun characters who are expressing feelings. 

If you're looking for something that helps your child understand their emotions with the aim of communicating with them, then That's Okay is the perfect solution. It's been made for 4 - 8 year olds, but can be enjoyed by all ages! 

 

What affects children's mental health?

Children are not only affected by their environment but also by the people around them. The family, teachers, friends and other people in a child’s life have an impact on the child’s mental health.

Mental health is not just about feeling sad or anxious but also about having a sense of belonging and feeling safe. If children are not able to find these things in their lives, they might develop mental health problems like depression or anxiety.

The earlier children who have mental health problems get help, the better chances they will have of overcoming it and living a healthy life.

Children who have a family history of mental illness are more likely to develop it themselves as they grow up than those who do not have a family history of mental illness.

It is also important to note that bullying or peer pressure can also be an influential factor in the development of mental health issues in children.

Do you have any children's mental health facts for the UK?

The great thing about technology and advances in research is that we have access to so many facts and figures that can help us tackle certain issues. Here are a few key facts about children's mental health.

• Out of 30 children in a classroom, statistically five could have mental health issue - Children's Society

• 34% of people who ask for NHS treatment do not get accepted - Children's Society

• A third of all mental health problems in adulthood can be tied to an adverse childhood experience - Young Minds

• Adults who experienced 4 or more difficulties in their childhood are four times more likely to have low levels of satisfaction in life - Young Minds