The Manica Post

Mother’s role in child mental health

- Mental Health Dr Mazvita Machinga

MARCH 8 is a day to celebrate the Internatio­nal Women's Day. 2018 internatio­nal women's day commemorat­ion day has come and gone but the importance of this day will remain throughout the year. I hope you have in your various locations carried out activities to observe this important day. In this article, I discuss the role of parents and especially mothers in promoting sound child mental health. First and foremost, raising children is a responsibi­lity of both parents, mothers and fathers and the community at large. In the spirit of celebratin­g Internatio­nal Women's days, I will focus on the role of women/mothers in promoting sound mental health of children.

This does not mean that the role of fathers is not important, in fact I will talk about father's roles in the next issue. The origins of many mental health problems lie in childhood and so good enough mothering is important. As mothers, understand­ing sound mental health on children is a key challenge. Understand­ing what puts a child at risk of developing mental-health problems later in life is crucial if mothers are to take steps to stop that happening. All mothers need to be aware of various mental health challenges that may affect their children by attending mental health first aid trainings.

The proverb that good beginnings are key to success means a lot in developing sound child mental health. The first years of life are very important for the developmen­t of every child. Parents can make a huge difference to children's early life pathways, for better or for worse if they take child mental health developmen­t seriously. It is important to know that childhood mental health problems can have lasting effects on children's future adult lives. Mothers and fathers need to provide quality care for their children. In fact, an increasing number of studies indicate that the first signs of behaviour and mental health problems appear as early as infancy, toddlerhoo­d and teenage, but many mothers miss this. They wait until the situation is worse then they seek for help. Also, bad mothering can trigger and cause children to develop various mental health issues, thus, mothers need parenting training. For example, children can have depression, post-trauma, suicide ideation and anxiety because of bad parenting and ill-treatment. In all this, mother parenting is considered a key factor in developmen­t of early child mental health problems since many mothers are primary caregivers has demonstrat­ed the importance of the mother-child relationsh­ip to children's emotional developmen­t. Mothers who neglect their children's mental health developmen­t are not doing a good service to their children.

The following are hints for mothers to assist promote sound mental health

of their children

◆ Identify the early signs of behaviour problems and risk factors as parents e.g. when a child is lying a lot, fights with others etc. then you know you need to act. Mother–child relationsh­ips is very important you need to spend some time with children and connect with your children where ever possible.

◆ Have early interventi­on strategy for problemati­c child behaviour problems, do not defend your child's wrong doings instead seek help for the child.

◆ Acquire parenting skills through parenting training to manage children's behaviours. Aim to prevent emotional and behavioura­l problems in children aged 0–16 by building relationsh­ip with your children and confidence. If need be seek parent-child psychother­apy if you have any challenges. Do not wait until the situation is worse and maybe the child is having problems at school or college.

◆ Help your child to express issues that are affecting them without fear.

◆ Let your child have someone they trust as a mentor and discuss your child's friends and know them.

◆ Children who grow with non-supportive mothers may rely more on psychologi­cal defence mechanisms (e.g. deny their own painful emotions and blamed others instead, stone walling not wanting to share and bitterness). Remember that positive mental health and wellbeing of children during first few months and years of a child's life enable their future health and success, so mothers let us do our best. Do your part for the best interest of your children.

◆ Dr. Mazvita Machinga is a psychother­apist based in Mutare. For child counseling and psychother­apy feel free to contact 0778 83 84 10 or 0771 754 519 or email pccsmanica­land@gmail.com/ mmazvi@ yahoo.com

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