Imagining a child sitting quietly in a corner, with a smile on the outside but simmering inside with a tempest of fear, despair, and anxiety. How frequently do we look past their smile to acknowledge the daily struggles people endure in silence?
Although children are sometimes seen as lively and carefree, there is a world of complicated emotions that are all too frequently overlooked, hidden under their games, laughter, and innocent smiles. In the background of every laugh and playful moment, stress, worry, and despair quietly flourish. Children's mental health issues can be equally as severe as those faced by adults, yet society often ignores this and dismisses these as simply "childish behavior." Many times, these silent struggles go unnoticed, leaving kids to face them alone.
Although it is frequently overlooked, children's mental health is equally as real and significant as that of adults. Many kids, especially the younger ones, don't have the words to describe how they feel. They find it more difficult to get care since mental health is stigmatized. They consequently bear mental burdens in quiet, their anguish misinterpreted as normal juvenile conduct. This story needs to be changed.
The excessive academic pressure that parents, schools, and society place on kids is a big factor in their mental health issues. Children are subjected to demands beyond their developmental capacity due to peer competition and the ongoing pressure to achieve excellent grades. Academic achievement is vital, but a child's emotional health should never be sacrificed for it.
The pressure to perform is constant in many homes. Children are frequently pressured by their parents to achieve high grades, be placed first in their class, or receive honors. Success is viewed as a result of the parent's efforts as well as the child's aptitudes. But there are serious repercussions to this desire for perfection. Children struggle to cope with emotions like stress, worry, and failure-related fear. They internalize emotions of inadequacy, humiliation, and self-doubt when they unavoidably fail to live up to these irrational standards. Children who feel they cannot live up to their parents' expectations no matter how hard they try are frequently emotionally isolated as a result of their dread of disappointing them.
According to the American Psychological Association, every year, about one in five kids between the ages of three and seventeen suffer from a mental health illness. However, less than half of these kids get the help they need. There is no denying the connection between mental health problems and academic strain. In addition to impairing their academic performance, the pressure to perform also negatively impacts their mental well-being and fuels chronic problems like anxiety and depression.
Social media exacerbates mental health issues in kids. Children are now exposed to unattainable ideals of prosperity, beauty, and social standing on platforms that once provided a means of interaction. Even younger kids are impacted by the information they consume, even if they might not completely comprehend these channels. Their sense of identity and self-worth is further harmed by the unhealthy demand for outside acceptance that is created by the chase of validation through likes and followers.
A child's mental health issues are exacerbated by outside influences like social media and academic pressure, but the real problem is how adults see these difficulties. Emotional anguish in children is sometimes dismissed as a natural aspect of growing up. When a child struggles in school, they may be accused of being lazy or unmotivated, but in fact, they may be experiencing stress, worry, or dread. In a similar vein, a child who isolates themselves from others can be feeling lonely or depressed but unable to articulate it.
This misconception is particularly common in settings where there is a lack of open discussion about emotional well-being. Children lack a secure place to express their feelings because mental health is rarely addressed in many households and schools. Because of this, their difficulties are frequently ignored until they become urgent. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, preventing long-term mental health problems requires early intervention. However, a lot of kids still endure silent suffering because they are unable to get the help they need. Many youngsters cannot afford therapy or counseling because schools frequently lack the resources to address mental health problems.
We must give early mental health support for kids a top priority to solve this. By including counseling services as part of normal school programming, teaching staff to spot early indicators of emotional distress, and incorporating mental health education into their curricula, schools can make a big contribution. Children who receive early intervention are better able to control their emotions and avoid long-term difficulties.
Furthermore, we need to reevaluate how academic achievement and mental health are related. Grades alone should not be used to determine a child's value. We must develop well-rounded people who are emotionally knowledgeable, socially connected, and able to handle life's obstacles rather than just emphasizing academic achievement. It is crucial to teach kids that it is acceptable to ask for assistance when they are having difficulties and to encourage them to communicate their emotions. By creating an atmosphere at home where emotional intelligence is regarded as highly as academic performance, parents can also play a crucial role.
Children's mental health is an important part of their growth and not a phase. We must pay attention to children's challenges, recognize the effects of academic pressure, and give them the resources and support networks they require to overcome this problem. We should listen to their hearts and minds instead of just their scores. When did you last question a youngster about their true feelings, other than their playtime or grades? We won't be adequately ready for a prosperous and healthy future until then.
The writer is a public health scholar and humanitarian aid practitioner in an international non-profit organization based in South Asia
