One of the most important but least recognized aspects of physical health is mental health. Mental health defines psychological, social, and emotional well-being and determines how a person perceives, feels, and relates to the world.
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes mental health as “a state of wellbeing in which an individual realizes his or her potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to his or her community.” This shows that mental health is not just the absence of mental illness. It’s a way of life, not just a way of staying alive. Like physical health, it must be nurtured and cared for constantly.
The Growing Need for Children’s Mental Health
There has been much emphasis on the mental health of adults; however, children and it seems to be forgotten that children also have feelings and face difficulties.
The foundations for lifelong mental wellbeing are laid during childhood. It is a learning and development time filled with new experiences, challenges, and emotions. However, children today seem to be experiencing mental disorders at a higher rate than previous generations. This is worrying because studies show that mental health problems that children develop are likely to persist into adulthood.
Although there are several factors contributing to the increase in mental health problems in children, the question is: what can we do to combat this growing epidemic?
Why is SEL important for Mental Health?
Mental health is not an innate ability but a skill to be learned. Just like any other skill, it takes practice and a lot of education for children to develop these skills. Therefore, it is crucial to provide children with opportunities to develop emotional awareness and coping mechanisms.
Children need help and support to better understand their feelings, develop self-identity, and learn coping mechanisms. Two key players who should play a vital role in this process are schools and parents. If children can learn about mental health at school and at home, the issue will be taken seriously, the stigma will be removed, and they will know that they can seek help if they feel they cannot cope on their own.
Social-emotional learning (SEL) has emerged as a valuable framework for teaching mental health skills. SEL focuses on five key competencies.
Self-Awareness:
Understanding one's emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and values. With self-awareness, children make better decisions, resolve conflict, handle tough times, and manage their feelings better.
Self-Management:
Regulating emotions, setting goals, and persevering.
“Self-management encourages children to manage their emotions. They learn to calm down and express themselves in healthy ways.”
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Social Awareness:
Taking the perspective of others, showing empathy, and understanding social cues.
“Social awareness helps children to see things from other people's points of view. This allows them to be more empathetic friends who share, take turns, and consider how their actions might make others feel."
Edufrienz Learn about Social Awareness Workbook
Relationship Skills:
Establishing and maintaining positive relationships, communicating effectively, and working with others.
Responsible Decision-Making:
Making constructive decisions based on ethical standards and safety considerations.
These skills are essential for meeting life’s challenges and building strong mental health. Integrating SEL in the classroom and at home can give children the tools they need to develop good mental health.
Crucial Role of Parents
Parents and carers are essential in helping children to develop healthy minds. Open communication, active listening, and emotional support are crucial. An important goal is ensuring that children feel free to express their feelings to others, especially their parents, without being laughed at. Another factor affecting children’s well-being is the quality of the family’s shared activities – spending time together as a family, doing activities together, and learning how to deal with stress is very important in ensuring that parents are connected to their children.
Parents also want the best for their children, so if you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. It is important to remember that seeking professional help is a strength. Moreover, timely intervention can make a huge difference in a child’s life.
It should be emphasized that mental health is more than the absence of illness. It is about encouraging all children to develop coping mechanisms, emotional intelligence, and strength of character. It is a way of preparing young people for a healthy future.
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