MENTALLY HEALTHY CHILDREN, BECOME MENTALLY HEALTHY ADULTS
“Children live what they learn, children learn what they live” is a line from a very famous poem that supports the sentiment of mentally healthy children becoming mentally healthy adults. It is however more than a sentiment according to Raising Children Network [Australian] Limited (2021), “good mental health is an important part of healthy child development. It helps children build positive social, emotional, behaviour, thinking and communication skills. It also lays the foundation for better mental health and wellbeing later in life”. It is therefore a fair assumption that parents do want their children to be mentally healthy during their childhood and as they advance through life.
It may also be a fair assumption that mental health associated stigma contributes to decreased efforts surrounding mental health. This is a continuously worrying trend. Global statistics in 2022 indicated the likelihood of children developing a mental health problem has increased by 50%. Similarly, UNICEF’S 2021 report on the state of the world’s children indicated that “over 13 per cent of the world adolescents, or young people in the age range 10-19, live with mental disorders”. These data point to an urgency for mental health education and promotion with supported actions for our children. While we look towards Ministries of Health among other key stakeholders to drive the mission; the onus is also on all of us as a society to foster mental health across the life span, as collectively we are stronger.
Mentally healthy children: (1) feel happy and positive about themselves most of the times, (2) are less harsh on themselves during tough periods, (3) enjoy life and learn well, (4) get along with others, (5) are able to manage their feelings and emotions, (6) are able to build their resilience and (7) are more willing to try new and challenging things. Be reminded that even adults experience difficulties coping with life’s challenges. It is therefore essential to assist children with developing their own mental health. Recommendations for raising mentally healthy children include teaching the language of feelings. Feelings and emotions are normal. Some of the actions used to express them may be incorrect but the feelings are valid. Another recommendation is recognising the behaviours of younger children. Younger children may typically express a problem through their behaviour as opposed to using words.
For older children, one recommendation includes validating that their opinions and thoughts matter. As children mature, they develop their own thoughts and opinions on life and varying issues. Despite disagreements on these thoughts and opinions from parents or adults, listening to children is strongly recommended. The other suggestion points to parents being good role models. Children tend to be more perceptive than they are given credit for. This lends credence to the opening sentence. Parents should consistently work on their own mental health, so their children will learn what they live.
Recognising the symptoms of being mentally unhealthy in children will vary according to the age group. If a younger child appears to have regressed to a previous stage of development e.g. bedwetting, has become more attached, or develops frequent unexplained physical complaints e.g. stomach aches. Or If an older child has become less sociable and more withdrawn, is displaying obvious appetite changes or a decrease in academic performance, parents are encouraged to engage in meaningful dialogue with the child and or seek professional assistance. Parents should also lean on their circle of support and access the resources available for assistance but ignoring or dismissing the symptoms is not recommended.
A new cycle of mentally healthy parents fostering mental health in their children, who in turn become mentally healthy adults raising their own mentally healthy children is one certain way to build mentally healthy societies.