The parent of any child who is suspected to be suffering or exhibiting symptoms of mental health disorders can not care for or diagnose the child themselves; rather, they need to seek the help of a professional, keeping in mind that the early institution of intervention determines the outcome of the condition.
The diagnosis of mental health disorder is made following a thorough health assessment. A mental health professional would help the child by initiating therapy or other therapeutic services which suit the child’s needs.
The therapeutic services include
- Behaviour therapy: also called talk therapy or psychotherapy involves talking with a psychologist or other mental health professional. With young children, psychotherapy may include playtime or games. Children learn how to talk about and manage thoughts and feelings during psychotherapy. They learn coping skills. Behavioural therapy aims to improve a child’s moods, anxiety, and behavior by examining abnormal patterns of thinking.
- Recreational therapy: The theory of recreational therapy is to use daily hobbies and physical activities to address physical, emotional, mental and social need in people with illnesses.
Recreational therapy improves or maintains physical, cognitive, social, and emotional functioning to facilitate full participation in life. Services are provided or directly supervised by a recreational therapist using the following approach:
- Music therapy
- Art therapy
- Creative writing
- Activities like cooking or gardening
- Dramatic expressions
3. Medical services: involves the use of drugs to manage childhood mental health disorders.
PROMOTING POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH IN CHILDREN.
The mental well-being of a child can be protected and improved through the following ways;
- Giving children unconditional love and providing a healthy environment at home.
- Nurturing your children’s confidence is a powerful tool in protecting and improving their mental well-being. They should be gently but firmly corrected when they err, empowering them to learn and grow.
- Practising sensitive and responsible parenting.
- Securing healthy attachment between the child and his caregiver.
- Monitoring their use of social media to prevent exposure to undue situations.
- Engaging in active exercises, such as taking family walks in the evening, is a motivating way to protect and improve your child’s mental well-being.
- Encouraging and commending positive behaviours.
- Seeking medical services if any symptoms of mental health challenges are observed in a child.
CHALLENGES IN ADDRESSING CHILDHOOD MENTAL DISORDERS.
They are the social, psychological, financial and economic challenges caregivers experience when they have children with mental health disorders. The psychological difficulties include the frustration of being
unable to assess the services of a professional and reduced public awareness about childhood mental health, which could result in stigmatisation.
The financial implications are on the family’s income because they need to pay for the services required by the child, which could result in anger or frustration towards the affected child.
In Nigeria, the mental health care infrastructure is developing and still lacks the capacity to cater for the needs of these children appropriately. Aside from this, other challenges observed are;
- Stigma due to lack of awareness
- Lack of financial support
- Lack of social support
- Parental ignorance: Some of the symptoms associated with mental health disorders could be attributed to having cultural meanings leading them to seek help from traditionalists.
In conclusion, the childhood period is a significant aspect of everyone’s life. Attention to children’s mental health at this stage is as important as that which is needed in adult as it goes a long way in determining their overall health outcomes, their relationship with members of their family, as well as success in the society and school.