Dealing with children's mental health

In today's fast-paced world, we often overlook children's mental health. Mental health has an important role to play in the life of children. We, however, are not as conscious about their mental health as we are about physical health. Sometimes, mental health condition becomes worse but we do not seem to pay much attention to it. There are various factors that can impact the mental well-being of children. As a result, it is important for parents to understand how to help children to calm down and stay stress-free. Children's mental health can be affected for various reasons. If confronted by domestic conflict and aggression, they are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, behavioural issues and hopelessness.

Overpowering anxiety and stress can also cause feelings of inferiority among school children. The pervasiveness of social media and technology has introduced a new set of challenges, contributing to increased rates of cyber bullying among children. A lack of outlets for physical activity and time spent close to Nature has been linked to increased levels of stress in children. Now that screen time has become the default form of entertainment, the opportunity for children to engage in outdoor activities has diminished drastically.

Parents should be attentive to the signs that indicate their child is struggling with mental health issues. Withdrawal from social activities, or excessive mood swings can indicate that the child needs help. A decline in academic performance or loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed may also indicate the child is struggling. Open communication by parents is vital to help release the academic stress of children. So, parents should spend time listening to children, offering emotional support and helping them. Encouraging children to express their thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment fosters a sense of security and belonging. Another vital tip for parents is to model positive behaviour when it comes to dealing with stress and challenges. Healthy coping mechanisms can greatly impact the child's ability to navigate difficulties.

Jarin Tasnim Meem,

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