World Mental Health Day 2021: World Mental Health Day is celebrated annually on 10 October. It is organized by the World Federation for Mental Health and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Emotional, psychological, and social well-being of an individual builds one’s mental health. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, be it our childhood and adolescence or adulthood.
At any phase of life, if you experience mental health problems, your thought process, mood, and behavior could be affected.
World Mental Health Day 2021: theme
World Mental Health Day 2021 theme is ‘Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality’.
The major factors that contribute to mental health problems are:
- Biological factors,
- Life experiences,
- Family history of mental health problems
Mental health problems are quite common needs to be taken care of.
People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely.
For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic had an immense impact on people’s mental health.
Groups, including health and other frontline workers, students, people living alone, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions, have been particularly affected. And services for mental, neurological and substance use disorders have been significantly disrupted.
Yet there is cause for optimism. During the World Health Assembly in May 2021, governments from around the world recognized the need to scale up quality mental health services at all levels. And some countries have found new ways of providing mental health care to their populations.
Although, depression is quite common in adults, but the fact that it does spare kids and teens too, can never be ignored.
Childhood and teenage are the two most crucial stages that connect with several challenges like schooling, facing exams, combating peer pressure and societal expectations, and going through puberty.
A number of changes related to childhood and teenage can become the reason of depression and stress.
In this case, every parent must keep a track on children’s mental well-being and must discharge with the best care.
While depression can be mentally debilitating in children that can severely affect their happiness and performance, finding out the signs of depression in children and teens is crucial to prevent it before it gets worse and concerning.
Here are early warning signs that can help you fight against mental health related problems:
- Eating or sleeping too much or too little
- Pulling away from people and usual activities
- Having low or no energy
- Feeling numb or like nothing matters
- Having unexplained aches and pains
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
- Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
- Yelling or fighting with family and friends
- Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
- Having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head
- Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
- Thinking of harming yourself or others
- Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school
Some of the other signs can include headache, stomach ache, withdrawal from you, and persistent crying. Depressed children might appear to have lost interest in playing, appear irritable and can experience difficulties in concentrating.
When you find your kid depressed, understand that it is quite normal and can be prevented and treated. Here we discuss the tips given by WHO to help children fight depression effectively and also to prevent it.
Here are a few tips to parents given by the World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent depression in kids commemorating the World Mental Health Day 2021.
Though depression is rare in children compared to adults, it is not uncommon for kids to experience emotional problems. However, depression is quite common among older children and teenagers.
Some of the signs of an emotional problem faced by your child can be headache, stomach ache, withdrawal from you, and persistent crying. Depressed children might appear to have lost interest in playing, appear irritable and can experience difficulties in concentrating.
When you find your kid depressed, understand that it is quite normal and can be prevented and treated. Here we discuss the tips given by WHO to help children fight depression effectively and also to prevent it.
Tips to tackle depression in kids and teens:
Feeling that your child might be facing depression ?
The first thing to do is to ask how he or she is feeling and find out what could be worrying them.
Crucial moments like starting school, exams and puberty, need special attention and assurance, if they are comfortable with the changes they are undergoing.
Motivating your children to be regular with their eating and sleeping routines and to be physically active is another important thing to keep in mind. Engaging in activities they usually enjoy can bring them some respite and help in escaping depression.
Do not leave the kids alone especially when they are depressed. Spend time with them and give them a hint that you care for them and that they are important to you.
If you find the depressive state in your kid unmanageable or concerning, do not hesitate to seek professional help from mental health experts as they are well-equipped to suggest the right way out.
Shield your kids from situations that can put undue stress on them. Protect them from violence and maltreatment in their environment.
If you notice signs of self-harm in your kid, seek expert help from emergency services or health care professionals. Remove firearms, sharp objects and medicines from their vicinity.
Parents have a bigger role to play, when it comes to fighting and preventing depression in kids and teens. The best thing to avoid depression in these stages of life is to spend time with children regularly and keep a close watch to find out any signs of stress and depression in them before they get worse. Instilling a sense of being wanted and cared for is the most effective way to prevent depression in kids and teens.
Mental Health and Wellness
Positive mental health allows people to:
- Realize their full potential
- Cope with the stresses of life
- Work productively
- Make meaningful contributions to their communities
Ways to maintain positive mental health include:
- Getting professional help if you need it
- Connecting with others
- Staying positive
- Getting physically active
- Helping others
- Getting enough sleep
- Developing coping skills
Quotes you can share with your friends and family members on the occasion of World Mental Health Day.
- “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” (Mahatma Gandhi)
- “Your illness is not your identity. Your chemistry is not your character.” (Pastor Rick Warren)
- “Mental health needs a great deal of attention. It’s the final taboo and it needs to be faced and dealt with.” (Adam Ant)
- “It’s up to you today to start making healthy choices. Not choices that are just healthy for your body, but healthy for your mind”. (Steve Maraboli)
- “Some of the greatest battles will be fought within the silent chambers of your own soul”. (Mahesh Chowdary)
- “Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of but stigma and bias shame us all”. (Bill Clinton)
- “My dark days made me strong or maybe I already was strong and they made me prove it”. (Emery Lord)
- “Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed, it means the damage no longer controls your life”. (Akshay Dubey)
