“Parents don’t want to take their children to counselors or psychiatric treatment because they are concerned what other family members may think, concerned about what society may think. I’ve come across situations where people who are experiencing mental illnesses want to seek help but the family won’t allow them to do that.” – Deepika Padukone, actress
Children with good mental health feel loved, safe and secure in their environments. They also feel happy and positive about themselves most of the time. They’re kind to themselves during tough times or when things don’t go the way they expect. They enjoy life, learn well and get along well with family and friends.
On the other hand, a child suffering from mental health issues is generally defined as one having delayed or disrupted age-appropriate thinking, behaviors, social skills, or regulation of emotions. These problems disrupt their ability to function well at home, in school, or in other social situations.
It is important to identify the early signs and seek treatment.
What are the warning signs of mental health illness in children?
Watch these Warning signs that your child may have a mental health disorder include:
- Persistent sadness that lasts two weeks or more
- Withdrawing from or avoiding social interactions
- Hurting oneself or talking about hurting oneself
- Talking about death or suicide
- Outbursts or extreme irritability
- Out-of-control behavior that can be harmful
- Drastic changes in mood, behavior, or personality
- Changes in eating habits
- weight loss
- Difficulty sleeping
- Frequent headaches or stomachaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Changes in academic performance
- Avoiding or missing school
Ways to Achieve Optimum Child’s Mental Health
Here are ideas to promote your child’s mental health and well-being through a loving and supportive relationship:
- Tell your child that you love them, no matter what. You can also show love through your body language and nonverbal communication – for example, making eye contact, giving a hug, or smiling at your child.
- Use a positive, constructive, and consistent approach to guide your child’s behaviour. This means giving your child praise and attention when they behave well, rather than negative consequences when they behave in challenging ways.
- Talk and listen to your child, every day. If your child wants to talk, try to stop what you’re doing and give them your full attention.
- Enjoy time with your child doing activities they like. This could be reading together, kicking a ball, drawing, playing board games, and so on.
- Have regular family meals. Eating together can strengthen your relationship with your child, give your child a sense of stability and connectedness, and have a positive effect on their development. It might also encourage your child to eat well too.
- Make sincere efforts to solve problems and manage conflict between you and your partner, with your child, and among other family members.
- Encourage your child to connect with others in the community – for example, waving and chatting to neighbours, attending local festivals, or helping out at a community garden. This gives your child a stronger sense of their place in the world and helps them learn how to relate to different people.