According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 10-20% of children and adolescents worldwide suffer from mental disorders, mental health problems among children are prevalent. Additionally, half of all mental illnesses begin by age 14, making early detection and treatment critical to improving outcomes and preventing long-term negative consequences.
Research has shown that parental support and involvement are essential to promoting positive mental health outcomes in children. A study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that parental involvement and warmth were associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression in children.
Furthermore, parental self-care and mental health are linked to children’s mental health outcomes. A study published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies found that maternal depression and anxiety were significantly associated with children’s emotional and behavioral problems.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Kulneet Suri, Senior Director, IMS Noida points out, “Mental health is extremely important for a child’s well-being and overall development. It should be a trip for parents and child together. One in six children ages 2-8 have a mental, behavioral or developmental disorder (according to CDCP statistics). It is extremely important that children have a strong bond with their parents and family members because it increases the child’s self-esteem and helps the child and parents to handle difficult situations easily.”
A well-known research in behavioral science and behavioral economics is the ‘messenger effect’ which shows that the weight we give to information is highly dependent on who is providing the information. Research suggests that if we respect the messenger, we pay more attention to what they are saying and why, and in this case, the messenger is the parent, which means the child will feel reassured about their safety and will open up if the parent practices carefully. their child.
The mental health expert emphasized, “It’s important for parents to understand why their child’s mental fitness should be their focus and priority in the first place. Practicing open communication, building trust and reciprocity with their child can help parents integrate and reduce their child’s stress levels.” . Parents who practice this monitoring mechanism can help avoid high risks of adverse effects on a child’s health and development and also help reach appropriate treatment.”
Professor Usha Patel, director educationist at the Indian Institute of Art and Design (IIAD), suggests, “Encouraging healthy habits like regular exercise, healthy eating and adequate sleep can also have a positive impact on mental health. A study published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology found that physical activity It has been found to be associated with better mental health outcomes, including improved emotional and behavioral functioning in children.
Active listening and validation of children’s feelings is also important in promoting positive mental health outcomes. A study published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing found that active listening and empathy from parents was associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety in children.
She highlighted, “Encouraging social relationships and reducing stress can also have a positive impact on children’s mental health. Social connections have been shown to be protective factors for mental health and high levels of stress can negatively affect mental health. Finally, parents can model healthy behaviors for their children by practicing self-care, healthy coping mechanisms and stress-management strategies. It can teach children important skills to maintain their own mental health.”