Whatever we do for our kids is to see them happy! Isn’t it? Do you want them to be responsible, honest, patient, humorous, empathetic, friendly, unique, supportive of their elders and peers, and spend wisely, never bullying others and being bullied by others? “Yes, of course!”, will be your spontaneous answer.
Do parents understand the mental health of their children??
Understand the importance of mental health by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
The facts are revealing!
The study on the parental involvement and mental well-being of Indian adolescents states that high levels of parental involvement were significantly associated with a decreased likelihood of poor mental health. The parental involvement includes checking children’s homework, understanding their problems and awareness of free-time activities. Poor mental health is a result of loneliness, insomnia due to anxiety, sadness, hopelessness and suicidal ideation. Children reported that parental involvement decreased with age, while their poor mental health problems increased with age.
In India, children with mental health issues are usually undiagnosed and hesitant to seek help or treatment. According to the Indian Journal of Psychiatry in 2019, before the onset of the pandemic, at least 50 million children in India were affected by mental health issues; 80 – 90 percent have not sought any support.
If you are seeking ways to eradicate mental health problems in children, you need to know the root cause of the problem.
What causes mental health issues in children?
Early adverse experiences in homes, schools, or digital spaces (such as exposure to violence), the mental illness of a parent or other caregiver, parental divorce, separation or loss, bullying (ragging), and poverty increase the risk of mental illness in children.
The mental health of parents and children is connected. Parents with mental challenges have difficulty with anxiety and therefore face challenges in providing care to their children.
If parents lack resources due to poverty, it can negatively affect a parent’s and their children’s mental health.
How can fighting parents cause mental illness in children?
Children are the most vulnerable members of a family. Studies show when they witness their parents fighting, they feel helpless, unhappy and insecure. Children become silent, freeze, or cry out loud or sob. They are clueless about how to react to this situation.
How can parents improve their children’s mental health?
Parents can affect a child’s development. You may reach out for professional or clinical help, but there are ways that parents can support their child’s mental health.
Help your children savor food for mental wellness
The art of eating is subsiding as we tend to eat food on the run, eat fast food, nuke it in a microwave or eat while watching ‘Vampire Diaries’ on Netflix. Parents and their children should start a family meal every day to spend quality time together and have a chance for table talks.
Avoid Parental arguments
Firstly, avoid arguments in the presence of your children. Secondly, if you have to settle any differences while in their proximity, it should be a healthy discussion rather than a heated argument.
Avoid Arguments with children
Look at the arguments as differences of opinion and respect your child’s view. Don't dig up the past with your child. End all arguments with humor. Allow your child to win the argument so that there is peace and harmony at home.
Teach coping skills to your children
Children and Teens Programs by The Art of Living are specially designed meditation, yoga, breath and self-development programs for children and teens.
Find a program for your children as per their age.
Testimonial
A teenager Shriya says, “Medha Yoga was a liberating experience.”
Don’t avoid talking about their mental health
Share with your children what you and other family members do to cope with your emotions. Take your teens’ suggestions on these issues. It teaches them that such feelings are common in one’s life and can be handled with some wisdom and patience.
Fathers are as important as mothers for a child’s mental health
Children with involved fathers are reported to have fewer behavioral and impulsive problems, longer attention spans and an increased level of sociability. They are better off when their relationship with their father is warm, sensitive, secure, nurturing and supportive.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says, “One cannot handle the mind from the level of the mind.”
Encourage your children to make decisions
Parents may encourage their children to make decisions for themselves and actively participate in family decision-making issues. It will make them feel heard and valued at home. For example, take your teen’s suggestions on a laptop, mobile, or bike purchase.
Support your children in difficult situations
Talk and listen to them with an open mind. Help them to set up simple routines to feel relaxed. Assure them that you are always with them in all circumstances.
Reach out to a therapist or counselor in traumatic situations
Traumas like serious accidents, abuse, violence, or bullying can trigger mental health issues in your child. Therapy focuses mostly on the victim’s unconscious mind from where the trauma is being triggered. Therapists can help your children with coping strategies so that they are able to respond better to traumatic situations.
The Art of Living Initiative
The Art of Living’s stress-elimination breathing techniques in the Trauma relief programs have helped people release the past and move on with hope and peace of mind. A trauma relief helpline is dedicated to Indian students who have returned from Ukraine amid the Ukraine Russia War and their families.
Spend quality time together with your stressed child
Spend time with your children by enjoying with them or playing music or art, tickling or cuddling, long drive, long walk and cooking favorite dishes.
Positive feedback uplifts their self-esteem
Kids lookout for positive feedback from their parents. It has a long-lasting effect on their well-being. It boosts self-confidence, enhances social skills and sparks creativity in them.
You could also attend a Know your child workshop to help you connect better with your child.
Inspired by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s wisdom talks
Written by: Pratibha Sharma
Reference links:
Parental involvement and mental well-being of Indian adolescents
UNICEF report spotlights the mental health of children and young people
Related links:
“Mental health and well-being in universities” - Live meditation and queries answered by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
“FAQs on how to deal with stress and its offspring” - Some insightful and humorous answers by Gurudev on stress
