Why Mental Health for Children Matters?

Have your child ever felt like their tummy filled with butterflies before a big game? Or maybe they cried a bucket after losing their favourite toy? These are all normal emotions! But sometimes, those butterflies turn into a constant fluttering, and the sadness feels like a heavy rain cloud that never goes away. That's when we might be talking about anxiety or depression.

Just like a human body needs healthy food to grow strong, our minds need healthy habits to feel happy and balanced. That's where mental health comes in! It's all about taking care of our thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

Mental health is important for everyone, including children. According to the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 10% of five to fifteen-year-olds have a diagnosable mental health disorder, which means around 50 million children under the age of eighteen could benefit from specialized services. There are up to 20 million adolescents with severe mental health disorders, yet around 90% of children are not receiving any special services despite having mental health disorders. Sometimes, it can be hard to talk about these things, but opening up a conversation can be super helpful.

Why Talk About Mental Health with Kids?

According to WHO, mental health issue can be seen in 1 in every 5 children. If we focus on identifying the problems early and intervening at the right time, it will be more cost-effective, as we will be preventing further breakdown and avoid an adult treatment and rehabilitation programme, which is much more expensive. As it is rightly said, "Prevention is Better than Cure". It is possible to prevent most behaviour disorders in preschool and school environments.

Talking about mental health with kids might sound scary, but trust us, it's actually a great way to help them navigate their emotions and stay healthy. Here are 4 reasons why:

It empowers them: By talking about mental health, we show kids it's okay to feel all sorts of emotions—happy, sad, angry, scared. We also show them they're not alone and there are ways to cope with difficult feelings.

Early Intervention: Just like a scraped knee heals faster with a bandage, addressing mental health concerns early or as soon as possible can prevent them from becoming bigger problems later on.

Building Resilience: Life throws curveballs! Talking about mental health helps kids develop coping skills to deal with their stress and challenges in a healthy way.

How to Talk About Anxiety and Depression with Kids:

First, let us explain what is Anxiety and depression in simple terms. 

Anxiety: Imagine you're building a sandcastle. Anxiety is like a strong gust of wind that keeps blowing it down.

Depression: Depression is like a heavy wave that washes it away.

Talking about these things with kids doesn't have to be complicated. Here are five simple tips to do that:

1. Start Early: You can talk about emotions from a young age. Use simple language and everyday situations to explain feelings.
   
   
2. Listen Actively: Let your child know you're there to listen without judgment. Put down your phone, make eye contact, and show them you care.
   
   
3. Use Age-Appropriate Language: Explain anxiety and depression in a way your child can understand. For younger kids, you can use metaphors like the sandcastle example above.
   
   
4. Focus on Solutions: Once you've acknowledged their feelings, discuss coping methods. These could include reading a calming book, deep breathing exercises, relaxing music or spending time with loved ones.
   
   
5. Be a Role Model: Talk about your own emotions in a healthy way. Show your child that it's okay to not feel okay all the time, and that you have coping mechanisms too!

Self-Care for Kids: Because Everyone Needs a Break!

Just like Superman needs sunlight to recharge, everyone needs self-care! Self-care means taking care of your physical and mental health by doing things that make you feel good. Here are some fun self-care activities for kids:

1. Exercise: Exercise releases endorphins, which are the body's natural feel-good chemicals. Go for a bike ride, dance party in your room, or play hide-and-seek.

2. Let them be creative: Draw, paint, write stories, or build something awesome with Legos or play cards! Expressing your and your kid's creativity can be a great way to manage stress and emotions.

3. Connect with Others: Let your child talk to a trusted adult, spend time with friends, or play with your pet. Social connection is really important for mental health.

4. Get Enough Sleep: All brains need rest! So, practice a regular sleep schedule to ensure your child gets a good night's sleep.

5. Healthy Eating: Food fuels our body and mind. Eat nutritious meals and snacks to help your child feel their best.

Remember, self-care isn't selfish; it's essential! By making self-care a regular part of your child's life, you're helping them build healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

So, Let's Start Talking About Mental Health.

Talking about mental health might seem scary at first, but it's an important conversation. By opening up and taking care of ourselves, we can all feel stronger, happier, and more ready to face whatever life throws our way.

Let's end the stigma around mental health and build a world where every child feels at ease discussing their feelings. Together, we can create an impact!

Remember. Your child's mental health is more important than anything.