International School Parent Magazine - Spring 2024

“Mental health literacy is defined as the knowledge and understanding
necessary to recognise, manage, and prevent mental health disorders, and it
is a cornerstone of effective support systems.”
understanding with improved mental wellbeing
outcomes.
The age of onset for various mental
health disorders also underscores the
critical importance of early intervention
and awareness. Contrary to popular belief,
mental health concerns can manifest at
remarkably young ages.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) and anxiety, for instance, often
rear their heads as early as 5.5 years
old, while disorders such as obsessivecompulsive
disorder (OCD) and eating
disorders become apparent around
14.5 years old.
These findings debunk the notion
that mental health concerns
emerge solely in adulthood,
emphasising the critical role
of parental vigilance during
childhood and adolescence.
Statistics from the National
Alliance on Mental Illness
(NAMI) and the World Health
Organization (WHO) reveal
alarming trends regarding
the prevalence and impact
of mental health disorders
among adolescents.
According to NAMI,
three-quarters of mental
illnesses begin before
the age of 24, with half
emerging by age 14. Similarly,
WHO data highlights the
global burden of mental health
disorders among young people,
with depression being the leading
cause of disability worldwide
among adolescents aged 15 to 19.
By equipping parents with
the knowledge and tools to
understand and manage the
mental health of their children
from an early age, we empower
them to navigate life’s challenges
with resilience and confidence.
Empirical research further highlights
the benefits of early detection and
intervention in mitigating the adverse
effects of mental health disorders.
Studies published in peer-reviewed
journals consistently demonstrate that
timely recognition and support can alleviate
symptoms, improve functioning, and
prevent long-term complications.
Moreover, longitudinal studies
provide compelling evidence of the
enduring benefits of early intervention,
highlighting the potential for positive
outcomes throughout adolescence and into
adulthood.
In the context of international school
communities, the challenges and stressors
associated with migration can compound
the complexities of adolescent mental
health.
The decision to migrate to another
country can introduce a myriad of
opportunities and challenges, with
profound implications for mental health.
While the prospect of cultural immersion
can enrich one’s worldview, it also entails
navigating unfamiliar environments and
coping with the stressors of adaptation.
For children and adolescents and also
their parents, this transition may evoke
feelings of isolation, identity confusion,
or heightened anxiety. Recognising the
potential impact of migration on mental
health underscores the need for
proactive support systems within
international school communities.
Parental attitude towards
schooling also influences child
development, and whether a
parent enjoyed school often
then impacts how heavily
they want to be engaged
in their own child’s
education.
It would be ideal for
all parents to want to
be heavily involved in
their child’s education
and, subsequently,
their well-being, but it’s
understandable that some
parents will have negative, and
sometimes even traumatic,
memories of their own time at
school.
If a school has a large
proportion of parents that did
not enjoy their own education,
and this is translating onto the
proportion of parents who are
engaged, it could be important
to find ways to involve parents
in their child’s education in a
non-traditional way.
Tied to this, some parents
might have preconceived ideas
that schools should be purely
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