I tell my children, I'm figuring it out with you

Myleene Klass wants to help parents navigate mental health conversations with their kids. ABI JACKSON finds out more

- ABI JACKSON

THERE'S a lot of new territory to navigate in the pre-teen and teenage years for both youngsters and parents and musician and presenter Myleene Klass is the first to admit she's doesn't always do it perfectly.

The Loose Women regular, who has two teenage daughters, Ava, who has just turned 17, and Hero, 14, says: "I try and keep the lines of communication open. And I'm the first to say I don't get it right every time.

"One of the things I say to my children is that I am figuring it out with you," adds Myleene, 46. "Which must be really frustrating, but I think that honesty already gives you a nice footing together.

"And I suppose it's the idea of don't say come and speak to me and then lose your rag the second they do! 'I told you not to do that, we've been through this before, and so forth. Don't be the walking contradiction!"

Awareness around children's mental wellbeing is greater than ever. But for parents, knowing how to broach the issue isn't always easy. In fact, 80% of parents worry their children stay silent rather than opening up to them about their mental health and worries, according to new research from Bupa. And almost two-fifths (39%) of the 3,004 parents surveyed said they worry about their child's mental health at least once a week.

Myleene has teamed up with Bupa on its new 'break through and be heard' campaign, which aims to provide parents with a range of free online resources and guides.