Mental health conditions in children develop through a complex interaction of biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Key causes include genetic predispositions, brain chemistry, traumatic experiences (such as abuse, neglect, or loss), chronic illness, and stressful environments like poverty or family conflict.
The developmental domains of a child’s growth include the cognitive, social, emotional, and motor skills which are also known as building blocks. Each domain plays a significant role in shaping how children think, move, interact and manage tasks. Mental strength can happen in steps. It all starts with one first step. Together these domains lay the foundation for success in school, social situations and everyday tasks.
A child’s mental health is inherently positive. It entails a state of positive psychological, emotional and social wellbeing. However, mental health conditions are largely linked to factors such as exposure to violence, stigma, discrimination, conflict, abuse, neglect, displacement, single parenting, feelings of fear or shame, abuse, poverty, etc.
With so many negative and toxic factors taking place in homes and society today, particularly in the lives of children, it is of paramount importance that the subject of how daily habits impact children’s mental health becomes a subject of importance in protecting and safeguarding children.
Mrs. Winsome Bowers, Counsellor at the West Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists :: Photo credit: Contributed
Here are some tips that will help you to boost your child’s mental health and improve confidence.
1. Affirm your child daily in his or her personal love language.
2. Encourage open communication.
3. Teach your child positive self-talk.
4. Address the child on a one-on-one basis.
5. Never include negative statements along with your affirmation.
6. Develop a strong and positive parent-child relationship by responding to your child’s emotional and physical needs.
7. Establish a weekly family time to share activities.
8. Decrease stress and conflict while supporting normal activities.
9. Establish daily routines such as sleep time, wake-up time, mealtime, and worship time.
10. Work on your coping mechanisms and wellbeing as you seek to be a positive influence for your child’s mental wellbeing.
11. Check-in with your child. Ask how things are going with school and friends.
12. Pay keen attention to details, facial expressions and body language during rapport.
13. Listen more than you talk and try to understand what the child is trying to say.
14. Validate your child’s feeling by saying things such as “tell me more, I understand, I heard you.”
15. Encourage your child to learn about emotions and how to label negative emotions as “red flags”.
16. Foster reliance through play and emotional validation.
17. Ask your child to come up with ideas when he or she feels sad, scared, mad or otherwise upset.
18. Allow the child to lead as he or she learns coping mechanisms that work for him or her.
19. If your child wants to be heard, be present and respectful.
20. Take an active interest in your child. Be aware of changes in his or her behaviour. Learn more about mental health in children.
Remember:
Difficult situations, including bullying, school failure, chronic family conflict, or living in poverty, can disrupt a child’s mental health. Self-worth can be earned, but it must also be experienced. Therefore, give your child the best chance for a strong and lasting feeling of mental, emotional and social wellbeing. Never forget that the word “love” is a firm foundation for happiness and mental wellness. Negative experiences such as abuse and neglect can adversely impact a child’s mental health.