Mental Health is a very decisive domain of our lives. Mental health refers to overall cognitive, behavioural, and emotional wellbeing. It usually reflects how people think, feel, and behave. Any distortions in mental health can affect daily living, relationships, and physical health. Mental health can be affected by conditions such as stress, depression, and anxiety and these conditions can lead to disruption of a person's routine. Mental health holds significance at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence to old age. In children, it plays a very crucial part in determining the overall well being of a child. Mental health in children has a compound bilateral relationship with their physical health and it directly affects their potential to flourish in school, work, and in social setups.
Psychologs Magazine highlighted the importance of child development and mental health wellbeing in their May 2022 issue. Gopa Bhardwaj, the executive editor of Psychologs magazine, who has been the former dean of Delhi University, said through her article that only healthy children can build a strong nation. World-renowned psychologist J.P. Das emphasized on the intellectual development of children. He mentioned that learning math can help children enhance their logical reasoning, problem-solving abilities, and abstract thinking abilities.
Under the supervision of Editor in chief, Arvind Otta, Psychologs Magazine organized a seminar in which about more than 20 experts, 1000 adults, 50 children participated, in which children were taught how to share their feelings with their parents. Apart from children, parents were explained the importance of behavioural change in their child and its relation to mental health.Mental health problems are a very serious in India as well as in the whole world and after COVID pandamic, there was a very rapid jump in it. That's why the experts also discussed that there should be more such sources related to mental health in the local language which is very much needed. Psychologs Magazine is India's only monthly magazine that has been published in both print and electronic versions by Utsaah Psychological Services since 2019 but it is not sufficient for the whole population.
Any situation that demands the child to adapt or change might cause childhood stress. Positive changes, such as beginning a new hobby, can produce stress, but it is most usually associated with bad events, such as illness or death in the family. A child's stress could be a result of a negative change during his or her life.
Vivek Agarwal, professor and head of Psychiatry in KGMU, advised that parents must teach children that they should immediately try to relax when they find themselves caught in a stressful situation. This could be done by indulging in some activity that the child finds relaxing. Some examples of such activities are drinking water, meditation, yoga, deep breathing, music, dance, etc. Parents should also encourage children to share their feelings with some trusted people. These people could be the child's parents, friends, or anyone the child is comfortable with and can rely on. At last, children should always be given hope. Children should always be appreciated for their achievements. Even when a child faces failure, parents or caregivers of the child should never de-motivate the child. Instead, they should encourage the child to try once more and give them hope that they will succeed one day.
A demotivated child can never be mentally healthy. Giving hope sustains the mental health of the child even in the toughest times.Being harsh on children is never the solution to any problem, instead, it is the root cause of any problem. So, it is highly advisable that apart from being affectionate and caring toward children, always look out for your children's mental health and never hesitate to discuss mental issues with your child.
