Improving Children’s Mental and Emotional Health | Neha Cadabam | TEDxNITKSurathkal

Summary

In this impactful speech, a psychologist highlights the importance of mental health, especially for children and teens. She discusses how emotional awareness is often overlooked, with most children defaulting to 'I’m fine' without truly reflecting on their feelings. Advocating for preventive care, she emphasizes the need for mental health curriculums in schools, the importance of emotional openness in families, and the use of creative tools to help children understand their emotions. She also introduces emotional first aid techniques, stressing that both children and adults need training to manage emotional crises, just like physical injuries.

Takeaways

• 😀 The importance of understanding and identifying emotions: It's crucial to encourage children to reflect on their feelings and express them accurately instead of simply saying 'I'm fine'.
• 😀 Mental health education in schools: There's a significant need for structured and long-term mental health curriculums in schools to promote emotional well-being.
• 😀 Preventive and promotive mental health: Addressing small emotional issues early on can prevent them from escalating into larger problems later in life.
• 😀 Mental health issues in children: 50% of psychological disorders begin before the age of 14, and 75% begin before the age of 18, highlighting the need for early intervention.
• 😀 The importance of counselors in schools: Only 7% of schools in India have a professional counselor, and many counselors in existing schools have other roles as well.
• 😀 Stigma surrounding mental health: There is still a stigma regarding mental health in many households, where people are hesitant to seek help, viewing it as unnecessary or shameful.
• 😀 Open conversations about mental health: It's essential for families to have open discussions about mental health, just like they do about physical health and fitness.
• 😀 Emotional support for children: Encouraging children to understand their feelings and offering emotional support, as seen with the speaker's daughter offering help, is key to mental well-being.
• 😀 Creativity and play in emotional development: Incorporating creativity and games can help children learn self-awareness and emotional resilience in a fun and engaging way.
• 😀 Emotional first aid: Just like physical first aid, children and teachers need to be educated on emotional first aid to handle emotional injuries such as loss, bullying, or sadness.

Q & A

What is the significance of children often saying 'I'm fine' when asked how they are feeling?

The speaker highlights that children are taught to say 'I'm fine' without reflecting on their actual emotions. This creates a disconnect from understanding their feelings, which can lead to unaddressed emotional issues later on.

What does the speaker suggest about the emotional and mental health of children?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing children's emotional health early on. Preventive mental health, even for small issues, can prevent larger problems from developing.

How does the speaker define 'preventive and promotive mental health'?

'Preventive and promotive mental health' refers to addressing mental health issues before they become serious. This includes recognizing and managing smaller problems like low self-esteem or bullying before they escalate.

What role do mental health curriculums in schools play according to the speaker?

The speaker advocates for mental health curriculums in schools as an essential tool for supporting emotional and mental well-being. This approach helps create awareness and offers structured support to students from a young age.

Why does the speaker think it's difficult to implement mental health curriculums in schools?

Many schools view mental health programs as unnecessary, preferring to invest in areas like science labs or sports. The speaker notes that some even fear stigma, thinking it will make the school appear like a 'special school.'

What was the speaker's experience when discussing mental health with parents?

The speaker shares instances where children were discouraged from seeking counseling by their parents, with parents suggesting that mental health issues are either non-existent or should be handled privately within the family.

How does the speaker recommend addressing mental health in families?

The speaker recommends open conversations about mental health at home, just as we talk about physical health. Parents should model emotional vulnerability and be open about their own struggles to normalize seeking help.

What is the connection between creativity, games, and mental health in children?

The speaker suggests that creativity and games can be powerful tools for fostering emotional awareness and self-expression in children. These activities help children process their feelings in a fun and engaging way, which aids in learning emotional resilience.

What is emotional first aid, and why is it important?

Emotional first aid refers to techniques for addressing emotional injuries, such as dealing with loss, bullying, or emotional distress. The speaker believes it is crucial for teachers and caregivers to be equipped with these tools to help children navigate their feelings.

How can teachers contribute to a child's emotional health?

Teachers, by recognizing and responding to emotional distress in students, can play a key role in improving emotional well-being. By learning emotional first aid techniques, they can provide immediate support and create a safe, understanding environment.