It has become increasingly clear in recent years just how important it is not only for children to enjoy access to physical health and wellbeing, but also to nurture their own emotional development. Sadly, mental health issues in younger generations can have a long-term impact, as it can shape the way they interact with their loved ones, handle situations in the workplace, and their overall outlook on life. With this in mind, it’s essential to recognize and address emotional needs in children in the best way we can. In this article, we’ll look at some of the most pressing issues children face when it comes to their mental health and wellbeing, and outline some steps for caring adults to take.
1. Embracing the Diversity of Children’s Mental Health
Our children are infinitely capable of love, growth, and change, and yet so often they face challenges that can be difficult to navigate. As society becomes increasingly aware of the variety of experiences that shape child mental health, it’s imperative that teachers, caregivers, and parents embrace the full scope of what it means to nurture a child’s wellbeing.
Recognizing the collective range of perspectives that understandings of children’s mental health encompass is paramount. Every child is unique and will have diverse emotional needs as well as various levels of resilience. It is up to the adults in their lives to develop an understanding of how to appropriately engage in meaningful dialogue with these children, regardless of their backgrounds or social circumstances.
In doing so, here are some elements to consider:
- Respect for Culture – Respect for cultural, religious, and family values.
- Communication Skills – Actively listen to children to gain insight. Encourage them to express themselves, without judgement.
- Empathy – Acknowledge and validate the emotional responses of children.
- Problem-Solving – Learn how to identify potential options and discuss solutions in a positive environment.
Parenting in a culturally-responsive way is critical, as it enables children to develop strong self-esteem. To successfully foster the mental health of all children, it is important to recognize the importance of respecting and promoting our diversity.
2. Understanding the Physical and Emotional Needs of Young People
Nurturing the physical and emotional needs of young people is an important part of helping them grow into confident and resilient adults. As a caretaker or mentor, it’s critical to be able to recognize and respond to young people’s needs on both fronts.
Physical Needs
- Make sure young people have access to healthy food, plenty of sleep, and plenty of physical activity.
- Monitor their physical health and provide information about nutrition, fitness, and self-care.
- Help young people find and access appropriate medical services when needed and encourage them to seek help for physical health problems.
Emotional Needs
- Express genuine compassion for and interest in young people, and provide them with a safe space to talk about their emotions and thoughts.
- Help young people identify and label different emotions they may be feeling, and coach them to express their emotions in appropriate ways.
- Provide guidance in problem-solving and help young people work through difficulties.
- In more serious cases, provide resources and support for young people to access mental health services and counseling.
Young people need adults in their lives who can recognize, honor, and support both their physical and emotional needs, in order to help them become successful, healthy adults.
3. Strategies to Support Children’s Mental Well-being
A child’s mental wellbeing is paramount for their development and overall wellbeing. All parents, caregivers, educators and health professionals have a duty to ensure that a child’s environment supports, encourages, and nurtures positive mental wellbeing. Here are some key strategies to reinforce mental health:
- Create Awareness – Generate an awareness of mental health from an early age in your children. Proactively talk to your children about the importance of mental wellbeing and the various strategies they can use to deal with challenges in life.
- Respect Emotions – Respect the emotions of your child, and don’t be dismissive of their feelings or concerns. Provide a safe space and environment for them to express their emotions and be a champion for their achievements and successes.
- Pay Attention – Be mindful of your child’s behaviour and their interactions with others. Identifying any changes in behaviour can help avoid any potential issues.
Of course, mental health isn’t just about the strategies you can use in particular situations – it’s also important to prioritize regular physical exercise and rest as part of an overall regime. Similarly, engage your children in activities that promote positive social interactions and build confidence.
Additionally, it’s important to provide your child with the resources they need to handle situations when they face potential emotional issues. Training your child in emotional regulation, problem-solving, decision-making, conflict resolution, and communication skills can be invaluable when facing difficult situations.
4. Recognizing Warning Signs & Taking Action
It’s important to distinguish the difference between feeling overwhelmed and anxious, and feeling unable to cope. Here are some things you should watch out for if you’re worried a friend or family member may be at risk of becoming unwell:
- Neglecting responsibilities: a sudden drop in performance in school or work, a sudden disinterest in things that used to be important, or not taking care of themselves.
- Changes in habits: oversleeping, overeating, under sleeping, or under eating.
- Isolation: suddenly avoiding social activities, withdrawing from friends or family.
- Self-harm: thoughts of death or suicide, harming themselves, increased use of alcohol or drugs.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and anxious now and again, but if you spot any of the above behaviours persisting for a long period of time or getting worse, it might be time to take action. Proactively offering help can be daunting but, sometimes, it can be what a person needs to start getting back on track. Talking with someone you know and trust, suggesting professional help, or even just connecting with them in times of difficulty can make an enormous difference.
If you feel as though you’re struggling and need some extra support, it’s important to recognise when it’s time to ask for help. Speaking to a friend or family member who you trust, or consulting a doctor or mental health professional are some places where you can start.
5. Creating an Environment of Validation & Support
Creating a positive environment in the workplace is essential to the success and development of employees. Validation and support increase morale, grant greater job satisfaction and aid employees in feeling part of a supportive team. Aligning your company culture to foster these two elements is key.
Recognise the Achievements of Team Members: As a team leader, nothing cultivates an atmosphere of validation more than celebrating the achieved successes of your staff. This need not be elaborate – it can range from a company-wide announcement, to a pat on the back or specific ‘thank you’. Aim to recognise small wins, or larger milestones – whatever is relevant. This will demonstrate that any efforts put in by the team will not go unnoticed.
Encourage and Motivate Your Team: Everyone has moments of self-doubt or need an extra bit of a push. Leaders who take the time to motivate their staff positively and provide constructive feedback to improve their work is paramount. Encouraging a can-do attitude, offering guidance and setting achievable goals are all means to help staff to feel valued and supported.
- Create an open-door policy to ensure staff feel comfortable with open communication.
- Encourage employees to collaborate together to find solutions and take risks.
- Ensure staff understand their career journey and acknowledge their successes along the way.
- Promote from within the company to demonstrate internal progression.
Set the tone for your company environment and watch productivity and morale advance. By working towards a culture that recognises and supports employees, you are investing in the success of your team and setting the foundation for a prosperous future.
We leave you now with the knowledge that it is important to know the signs to watch for as a parent in order to recognize and address a child’s emotional needs. With greater understanding and care, children can grow and develop in positive ways leading to healthy, happy lives.
