Anxiety and Depression Toolbox

I have no idea if you know what a Mental Health Toolbox is?  We knew about the toolbox from the Liam Course Johnathan did with the nurse and it is mentioned in there and the child is meant to practise daily the “tools” or “techniques” you can use when anxiety or depression comes calling.

We haven’t really chatted about the Liam course that much as a family, although we have some and are supporting Johnathan to practice the :”tools” at nighttime every night after he has finished learning the Japanese he wants to learn.

Personally I vaguely remembered the idea of having tools but I wasn’t personally sure what they were or when to lose them.  But having seen Johnathan come through and finish the course has given me some understanding of where I can help myself.   Can’t say I’m there yet but I know some.

There was an incident where Johnathan was totally angry, upset and frustrated and I told him to go to the bathroom so he could calm down and I prepared to go to him.  I thought I was better leaving him for maybe a minute so almost followed him there.  

One idea that occurred to me on the way to the bathroom was to ask him if he remembered the ‘Bluey episode where she teaches Bingo how to throw her anger, upset and frustration into the sea.  Well, of course he did, but I suggested instead of throwing what he was feeling to the sea, he threw it in the sink!  

And it worked!  Slowly but surely each time he did it said he felt a bit better,  He had added another element to the idea by turning the tap on full power so it could be washed away.  Every time he did it he felt a little bit better, so when his voice came back to normal I left him.  And I felt proud of myself for doing that in a CALM fashion - not getting aggravated and irritated.