“A child cannot think logically when they are anxious, and they definitely cannot learn. Helping them calm has to be the priority.”
‘Health is wealth’. This widely known adage highlights the importance of good health. It reminds us that health is one of the greatest assets a person can have. In other words, good health means physically fit, mentally strong, emotionally balanced, and socially active. Here it’s mental health, which is of paramount importance to capitalise on the other aspects of good health for living a happy and productive life. When a person is mentally sound, he can perform daily tasks efficiently and enjoy life to the fullest. On the other hand, poor mental health can limit one’s ability to live a happy and prosperous life. work, learn, and achieve goals.
In the context of the importance of mental health in children, the primary responsibility of helping them to maintain their sound mental health lies with parents. In fact, the foundation for sound mental health is built early in a child’s life. The early experiences, including children’s relationships with parents, relatives and teachers shape the architecture of their developing brain. Any disruptions in this developmental process will have a direct impact on the children’s mental ability as it can impair their capacities for learning, with lifelong implications.
There are many interdependent factors that can destabilise mental health in children and young ones. Owing to many reasons, many studies have found school children in India experiencing mental health issues in terms of anxiety and depression, having a significant impact on their school attendance and academic performance.
Given the growing concerns and prevalence of mental health problems among school children, the current review of the situation makes sense. The intense academic pressure, cut-throat competition, and societal pressures faced by school children make it crucial to comprehend the extent of their struggles and their impact on their overall well-being. The review will enable children to gain a holistic understanding of the mental health challenges confronted by the children and tailor interventions and support structures to tackle mental health concerns in schools.
It’s worth mentioning that India has the most children and adolescents worldwide, with almost 35% of the population aged 0 to 19. It is the childhood and adolescence that are key developmental phases for mental health. The well-being and growth during childhood is directly related to the quality of the environment around a child. Medical scientists say that a variety of disorders resulting from deficiencies in a child’s physical, cognitive, or behavioural functioning are referred to as developmental disabilities. They have found Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), sensory impairments (loss of hearing and vision), cerebral palsy, epilepsy or seizures, intellectual disability or other learning disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), depression, anxiety, and behavioural problems are common in affected children and adolescents.
It’s to be understood that sound mental health provides an essential foundation of stability in children that supports all other aspects of their development. A child with good mental health is automatically loaded with the ability to perform even in adverse conditions to achieve success in school, work, and community life.
-Sajjad Bazaz