International School Parent Magazine - Spring 2024

ARE WE
LISTENING?
Recognising and
Supporting Children’s
Mental Health Needs
WRITTEN BY BY MARIANN CSOMA
Children’s mental health is pivotal in
shaping their ability to learn, grow,
and navigate their educational and
social journey. It is the foundation upon
which their cognitive, emotional, and social
development is built.
A child’s capacity to regulate emotions,
manage stress, and form healthy
relationships are critical components that
contribute to their overall mental wellbeing.
When these foundational aspects
are nurtured, children are better equipped
to engage in the learning process, handle
challenges, and form positive connections
with peers.
Children can encounter struggles with
their emotional well-being from a very
early age. Recognising early signs of mental
health challenges in children is not only
about preventing their escalation but also
about proactively putting in place the
proper support and implementing effective
strategies.
Silent Struggles
Caregivers and educators play a crucial
role in identifying those early signs,
yet recognising the indicators can be
challenging due to the silent nature of
their internal struggles. Numerous factors
contribute to the fact that children might
struggle to express their feelings and
thoughts verbally:
Children may lack the fully formed
cognitive and verbal skills required to
articulate the complexity of their emotions,
making it challenging for them to vocalise
their mental health challenges.
Beyond linguistic limitations, a fear
of disappointing parents is a significant
communication barrier. Eager for approval,
children may internalise their struggles
rather than burden their caregivers with
worries or concerns, creating a self-imposed
silence to maintain a sense of familial
harmony.
A closely related motive is the instinct to
protect parents from unnecessary distress.
Perceptive to their parents’ emotional
states, children may conceal their difficulties
to shield their loved ones from worry. This
protective instinct arises from a genuine
desire to preserve the happiness of their
family unit, creating a silent struggle within
the child.
Lastly, the fear that expressing their
mental health challenges could alter the
dynamics of the family unit serves as a
powerful deterrent. Children, inherently
sensitive to the emotional atmosphere at
home, may choose silence over disclosure to
maintain stability within the family.
Unspoken signs
These factors underline the critical
importance for caregivers and educators to
remain attuned to subtle, often non-verbal
cues regarding children’s mental well-being.
Recognising the early signs is paramount,
as these issues frequently manifest through
“Understanding and responding to early signs of
mental health struggles in children is paramount.”
sudden or gradual changes in various
aspects of their lives: behavioural shifts,
alterations in social interaction, fluctuations
in academic performance, changes in
mood, and physical well-being.
Observing a once lively and
engaged child undergoing a noticeable
transformation, becoming withdrawn,
and avoiding social interactions raises a
red flag. Conversely, a quiet child may
exhibit irritability, impulsiveness, and
restlessness, indicating potential underlying
challenges. Additionally, children might
resort to coping mechanisms, such as
avoiding specific activities or developing
perfectionistic tendencies, to manage their
emotions.
Children may display ongoing and
excessive concern regarding routine
situations or events. They might display
persistent, intense, or irrational worry
about everyday occurrences or specific
events. Alterations in sleep patterns,
including difficulties falling asleep, staying
asleep, or experiencing nightmares, may
also be observed. Changes in eating habits,
such as an increase or decrease in appetite,
can serve as additional indicators.
Furthermore, a notable loss of interest,
motivation, and persistent feelings of
fatigue represent further warning signs
that caregivers and educators should be
attentive to. Physical complaints, such
as headaches, stomach aches, or muscle
tension, should not be overlooked, as they
can be indicative of underlying mental
health concerns.
It is crucial to recognise that these
behavioural shifts can significantly impact
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT SPRING 2024 | 36