Children and Mental Health

Mental health is something that in general is overlooked in many countries. In the UK there are approximately 1 in 4 people that will experience a mental health problem in each year, and in England alone 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem in any given week (https://www.mind.org.uk/)

Although the statistics haven't changed much in the past years, it has been noted that the way in which people deal with these issues is getting worse on the basis that people who self-harm or have suicidal thoughts is increasing.

The main issue that has been brought to the attention is mental health in children. It is thought that mental health problems affect about 1 in 10 children at a young age, and that 70 percent of those children and young people who experience a mental health problem have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age. (https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/c/children-and-young-people)

This is where my debate begins. Should we be teaching children about mental health and how to deal with it at a young age?

When children start school, they begin their life long journey of overcoming mountains and being a better person. It is thought that children with mental health issues are overlooked and unnoticed. This being because children go through an emotional rollercoaster throughout their first years of life, it is hard to understand how a child feels when they don't really understand how they feel.

Many parents are so busy with their day to day routine that they are to slow to spot the changes in their children. This isn't because they "don't care." As a matter of fact it is known that many parents ask their children, "how was your day?" or "are you alright?" but this doesn't always dig as deep. This is where the issues arise. Are we asking children the right questions?

Many children's mental health starts with one single action. Bullying. The NHS live well website shows that in 2013, 45,000 children had spoken to ChildLine in regards to bullying. Although bullying is something that we will never be able to stop fully, there should be consequences in what happens to those who bully. Many children don't see the harm in the things they say to one another, but all it takes is one comment, one action, or one name calling that can lead to a child's life being turned upside down.

An article from teachwire.net states that educators are aware that nearly half of all mental health illnesses starts before the age of 14 and 75 percent by the age of 18. It also looks at the possibility that poor mental health treatment in childhood invariably means poor mental health for life. So why are we not doing more?

As a nation, our NHS is on its last legs, its being stretched to its ability, which therefore leads to the disappointment that some people aren't receiving the treatment they need.

We look at people with mental health problems and question how we can "fix them" but you can't fix something that isn't broken. These people are human too. Sometimes we all need a little reassurance and there is no harm in asking for help.

So what lessons should be taught to children? How can we teach them about something that we can't physically see? Children need to know that it's okay not to feel okay, that they have the support, and that we are all open ears.

School is somewhere children should feel safe and welcome. Teachers, students, teaching assistants, and even dinner ladies all have an influence on these children, and sometimes parents can't see what they all can see and they need the support just as much as the child.

We shouldn't brush off the idea that the child is simply "throwing a paddy" or "acting spoilt." Just one question to a child could change their whole idea of this big bad world that they know so little about.

These children are our next generation. If we can teach them now that there is nothing scary about mental health and that not one person is the same, then maybe, just maybe, there is a glimmer of hope for the future where mental health is not frowned upon but welcomed with open arms and open ears.

My opinion? There isn't such a lesson or an action that can teach these children what mental health is or how to deal with it. The key tool to help these children is listen, listen to their stories, to their problems, to their weakness and sadness and be there to guide them into a life full of joy, full of hope and happiness. We have to take each day as it comes but there is no harm in asking for help.