Do you want to know how to improve child’s mental health?, why is it Important to Promote Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing?
Promoting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people is essential for their safety, development, and future success.
This proactive approach ensures that they are equipped to achieve positive outcomes as they transition into adulthood (Public Health England, 2021).
The Significance of Mental Health: Mental health is a crucial component of a child’s overall wellbeing. Various factors can influence a child’s mental health, including:
Abuse and Neglect: Exposure to abuse or neglect can have profound negative impacts on a child’s mental health, leading to long-term psychological issues.
Family Circumstances: The dynamics within a family, such as parental relationships, socioeconomic status, and support systems, significantly affect a child’s mental health.
Environment: A child’s immediate environment, including their home, school, and community, plays a vital role in shaping their mental health.
Stress: High levels of stress from academic pressures, family issues, or social situations can negatively impact a child’s mental wellbeing.
Loneliness or Social Isolation: Feeling lonely or socially isolated can lead to mental health issues like depression and anxiety in children.
Impact of Experiences on Mental Health:
Negative Experiences: Experiences such as bullying, trauma, or unstable family life can adversely affect a child’s mental health, potentially leading to issues like anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems.
Positive Experiences: Conversely, positive experiences such as supportive family relationships, safe environments, and social connections can enhance a child’s mental health, fostering resilience, confidence, and overall wellbeing.
Promoting the mental health and wellbeing of children is vital for their current and future health. By addressing and mitigating negative factors while fostering positive experiences, we can help children develop into healthy, well-adjusted adults capable of achieving their full potential.
Everyone’s Responsibility
Promoting the wellbeing of children and young people is a shared responsibility for anyone who works with them. It is crucial to recognize any concerns about a child’s welfare and take appropriate action to ensure their safety.
Key Actions for Promoting Mental Wellbeing:
Engage in Conversations:
Talking with Children: Initiate open and honest conversations with children about their mental health. Encourage them to express their feelings and concerns, providing a safe space for them to communicate.
Implement Strategies:
Improvement Strategies: Utilize strategies designed to enhance mental health. This might include mindfulness exercises, stress management techniques, and activities that promote emotional regulation and resilience.
Support for Parents and Careers:
Parental Guidance: Offer practical tips and resources to parents and carers to help them support their children’s mental health. This can include advice on creating a supportive home environment, recognizing signs of mental health issues, and knowing when to seek professional help.
Educational Materials: Provide access to educational resources that explain the importance of mental health and how to maintain it.
Workshops and Training: Organize workshops and training sessions for staff, parents, and carers on mental health awareness and intervention strategies.
Support Networks: Establish support networks for children, parents, and carers to share experiences and gain mutual support.
By taking these steps, we can collectively contribute to the mental wellbeing of children and young people, ensuring they have the support and resources needed to thrive.
Starting the Conversation
Creating Space and Time to Talk
It’s essential to foster an open environment where children and young people feel comfortable discussing their emotions without fear of judgment. Dedicate time to regularly check in with them, whether in large groups, small groups, or one-on-one sessions as appropriate.
In educational settings, integrate mental health and wellbeing discussions into the curriculum. This approach helps gauge students’ feelings on various issues being discussed.
Additionally, provide opportunities for them to talk about current events, whether global, national, or local, such as climate change, the cost of living, terrorism, crime, or bereavement.
Initiating a conversation about feelings and mental health can be challenging. The Childline website offers age-appropriate information and advice on various topics, which can serve as conversation starters. You can also direct children to Childline for additional support before or after these discussions.
Topics covered include:
Feelings: Guidance on managing anxiety
Bullying and Cyberbullying: Tips on maintaining mental health
Childline Kids provides tailored advice for children under 12 using age-appropriate language. Additionally, we have curated a reading list of books on mental health from our library catalogue. Sharing these resources with children, young people, and their families can help initiate conversations.
Learn About Children’s Mental Health | CDC
Encouraging Children to Speak Out
Every child and young person should have trusted adults they can turn to with their worries, concerns, or questions.
Help them identify these trusted individuals by discussing who they feel comfortable talking to. Knowing they have someone to confide in can positively impact their mental health.
Ensure the children and young people you work with know you are available for them. Regularly remind them they do not have to handle their concerns alone and inform them of available support resources, including teachers, family members, and services like Childline.
Different Ways for Children to Express Themselves
Some children may feel uneasy about speaking directly to an adult. They might prefer seeking support from peers (Mental Health and Camelot Foundation, 2006) or expressing their thoughts and feelings through creative activities.
Children of varying ages, developmental levels, or with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) might struggle to express themselves verbally. They may require additional support, patience, and alternative methods of communication.
Consider offering a variety of ways for children to express themselves, such as:
Drawing: Encouraging them to illustrate their feelings
Music: Listening to or creating music
Writing: Keeping a journal of their thoughts and feelings, which they may choose to share or keep private
Children can also engage with peers on Childline’s moderated message boards or use Childline’s Toolbox, which includes online activities like:
Art Box: A space for children to express their feelings through words or drawings
Games: Activities to distract from negative feelings
Mood Journal: A tool to help children track their emotions and the reasons behind them
Buddy Zone: An area for children under 12 that includes various activities and games
By providing these options, you can support children in finding the method of expression that suits them best, ultimately contributing to their mental wellbeing.
Sharing Tips with Parents and Carers
It’s crucial that all adults involved in a child’s life actively promote their mental health and wellbeing. If you collaborate closely with parents and carers, you can provide them with valuable tips and resources to support this endeavor.
A consistent routine can offer stability in a child’s life, fostering a sense of security and reducing stress. Here are some suggestions you can offer to parents and carers:
Plan regular weekly activities, such as socializing with friends and family or participating in extracurricular activities.
Establish regular mealtimes to promote healthy eating habits and family bonding.
Maintain consistent bedtimes, especially for younger children, as quality sleep is crucial for their mental and physical wellbeing (NHS, 2020).
Create a nighttime routine for younger children, such as reading a bedtime story, to facilitate relaxation and prepare them for sleep.
Collaborate with older children to develop a routine tailored to their needs, including homework, social activities, extracurricular pursuits, and designated offline time.
Interacting with Younger Children
The early years of a child’s life play a pivotal role in shaping their future wellbeing (Falcounbridge et al., 2019). Positive interactions with adults during this period can significantly impact a child’s mental health throughout their lifetime.
If you work with parents and carers of young children, encourage them to:
Engage in individual face-to-face activities with their child, such as talking, singing, and playing, to foster bonding and stimulate development.
Follow the child’s lead during interactions, focusing on their interests and supporting their natural curiosity.
Maintain eye contact, as it enhances communication and strengthens the parent-child relationship.
By incorporating these practices into their daily routines and interactions, parents and carers can effectively support their child’s mental health and contribute to their overall wellbeing.
2 thoughts on “How to improve a child’s mental health?”
Comments are closed.