CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

THE BEST THING TO HOLD ONTO IN LIFE IS EACH OTHER. Audrey Hepburn

Hi! My name is Hannah and I’m an English conversation assistant working with INNOVA in IntersECCions in El Prat de Llobregat. I studied Psychology at university and the subject is still very much an interest of mine, especially in relation to children.
In light of what has been a very different and difficult year, I thought it be useful to document some helpful tips and tools to help boost our wellbeing and mental health, as well as those around us, and more specifically to acknowledge mental health in children.
Based on research carried out in the UK, rates of childhood mental health disorders have increased in recent years.1 It is reported that 10% of Children (aged 5-16) have a clinically diagnosable mental health problem. (2)

So, how can we help keep children mentally well?

Diet & Exercise
Make sure they are in good physical health. This includes eating a balanced diet and
getting regular exercise. (3)
Freedom to play
Allowing time for freedom to play, both indoors and outdoors. This includes taking breaks from technology and social network platforms.
Engaging in healthy play increases happiness in children and decreases their risk of depression and anxiety. (4) Not to mention that laughter is a great stress releaser for everyone!
Language of feelings
Teaching the ‘language of feelings’. It is important for children to recognise what they are feeling and to have the tools to express their feelings in words. When you introduce children to the vast range of emotions and feelings and invite children to explore and share them, it makes difficult feelings normal and healthy. This results in the development of emotional smarts and social skills. With this information, children are more likely to deal with their feelings and build stronger relationships.(5)

“Feelings are like roads signs, if we understand and listen to them, they can teach us where
to go next and what to look for” – Lynne Steffy
Encourage creativity
Encourage creativity. Doing something creative can help boost self-esteem and relationships. It can help children to express themselves and can be great for stress
management. (6) Likewise, learning something new is a great way to improve confidence and build a sense of achievement. Ideas include; cooking a new recipe, learning a new sport or language or perhaps creating a new project. (6)
Watch for Red Flags
It is natural for children to feel self-conscious, however, it is important to acknowledge when normal struggles become a reason for concern. Behaviours to look out for include being overly anxious, changes in mood, difficulty sleeping, changes in eating habits and irritability. (4)

As teachers

As teachers, guardians and parents we must help provide safe spaces for our children to talk through feelings and to encourage healthy ways to cope with stress and anxiety. As children also navigate themselves through this pandemic and the uncertainties of Covid-19, we need to be there for each other now more than ever.