Mental health is not just the absence of mental illness; it involves how we feel or behave without a diagnosed mental disorder.<\/p>\n
Our children\u2019s mental health affects how they act, how they feel, and how they behave. It is essential to educate them on matters of the mind early on, which we can often achieve through play for younger children.<\/p>\n
Their mental health has physical, emotional, and social consequences that can trickle into their little lives in so many areas.<\/p>\n
What can we do to help children with mental health issues?<\/strong><\/p>\n Children\u2019s Mental Health Week 2021 will take place from February 1-7. The concept underpinning the week is to promote healthy children, both inside and outside the body. This year\u2019s theme is Express Yourself.\u00a0 Express your feelings, thoughts and who you are. This often begins with talking. Let’s make mental health a regular part of their lives, a daily conversation, a common topic like the weather, then the onlooking little eyes of children see that mental health is a common issue and it is the norm to talk about it. As parents, adults, and teachers, let’s lead by example and express ourselves as individuals.<\/p>\n Express Yourself theme suggests children can use drama, art, creative writing, dance, or any form of creativity they like to do to express themselves.<\/p>\n What is Children\u2019s Mental Health Week all about? <\/strong><\/p>\n What is the impact of mental health issues on Children?<\/strong><\/p>\n A staggering 1 in 6 children and young people have a diagnosable mental health condition. Mental health problems impact other activities and can manifest itself in physical illness also. For example, many parents can relate to the familiar \u2018tummy pain\u2019 that suddenly arrives on a Monday at 9 AM, only to disappear soon after school begins. Teaching our children at an early age how to use coping mechanisms and how to express feelings can support them as a tool well into adulthood.<\/p>\n What can we do to promote positive mental health in children?<\/strong><\/p>\n Let\u2019s ensure children and young people:<\/p>\n\n
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