INFORMATION REGARDING CHILDREN

Having good Mental Health through childhood and adolescent years often determines

mental health and well-being throughout life. Research have shown that experiences in

early childhood lay the foundation for mental health in adulthood and good mental

health is fundamental to one’s physical health, quality of life and productivity.

Q What is Mental Health?

Having no physical illness does not mean we have good mental health. Mental health is

the way we think, feel and behave. It involves:

How we interact with others

The way we see ourselves, our problems and how we deal with it

How we evaluate our options and make our choices

How we work to achieve what we want and what we need

It is just as important as our physical health, as it determines how we live our life.

Q What influences our Mental Health?

Our level of intelligence and the way we think

Upbringing (parenting): many children are affected by how their parents and

caregivers react towards them. Difficulties in the family often results in mental

health difficulties e.g. frequent fights, marital problems, family break-up or

separation often results in difficult relationship and poor bonding with main

caregivers. The use of aggression, presence of depression or mental health

difficulties in parents increases the risk to mental health difficulties.

Our environment (friends, school and neighbourhood). External stresses which

effect adult directly can have its impact on children e.g. not being able to find

stable employment, difficulties at work, illnesses, hardships for people e.g.

pressure to perform (in school or at work)

Experience that shapes our self-image, coping mechanism and confidence e.g. peer

difficulties, bullying

Our strength, weakness & achievement

Psychological trauma (e.g. all forms of abuse, loss or death, environmental

disaster)

Poverty

Poor support network or role model

Physical health and illness

Q What happens if these children are not helped?

they are unable to learn and perform as well as their peers

they are at higher risk of losing interest in and not completing their studies

they play truant and eventually drop-out of school

they become defiant and will less likely not cooperate with adults

higher risk to run away from home

they tend to use aggression onto people and venture into other risk taking

behaviour e.g. early onset of sexual behaviours

they are likely to use force and threats in order to get what they want

their mood change into feeling low, sad or irritable

along with the mood change, they have negative thoughts about themselves ; they

feel hopeless, worthless and fell that they have done wrong to themselves and

family (feel guilty)

some have thoughts of death or wanting to die

Childhood should be a time filled with wonder and joy, but in reality for many kids is

often much different. In reality, many children face difficulties in their life but their

difficulties are often not noticed or minimised. Children and adolescent make up 39% of

the world population and it is estimated 20% of them have mental health difficulties.

Know when your child or their friend(s) may have difficulties. Signs include:

a) Academic

complaints of constant difficulties in reading, writing and/or mathematics

poor grades in school despite trying hard

marked or sudden fall in school performance

b) Behaviour

complaints from teachers of inability or difficulties to keep still in class,

constantly leaving their seat, disturbing or talking to others

hyperactivity, restless, unable to keep still unless watching television or on

the computer (fidgety)

persistent disobedience, uncooperative or use of aggression to authority

figures (teachers, parents)

bullying and using threats onto others

being frequently bullied by others

does not mix or get along with others

frequently gets angry and use of aggression e.g. throw or hit others

changes in eating or sleeping patterns

lack of energy or motivation

loss of interest in school or things normally pleasurable for the child

using drugs and alcohol

odd ideas or behaviour e.g. withdrawn, complaints of being and feeling

afraid

c) Emotions

Expressing a lot of worries, fears and/or anxieties

Sad face, crying a lot

Frequent anger outburst

Complaints of feeling stressful or sad, unhappy

Complaints of poor sleep, persistent nightmares, feeling tired, inability to

concentrate or think well

Persistent negative thinking of giving up living, running away from home

Complaints of being touched and feeling uncomfortable about it

A lot of fear of being fat and regularly skipping meals

d) Interaction with others

Children that have difficulties or unable to get along with others

Knowing when children need help and getting help early can help resolve the problem(s)

and prevents severe and lasting consequences.

Families, teachers or friends are usually the first to recognise that there is something

wrong with the child. Never minimise the child’s difficulties, these problems usually do

not disappear with age, left unattended, it usually worsens

When the problem does not seemed to go away despite attempts, the child would need

to see a qualified professional, a doctor, paediatrician, clinical psychologist or psychiatrist

Q Where can you go for help?

most doctors treating children are aware of the difficulties and where to refer the

child if difficulties persist

ask your doctor, if you have any of the above concerns

similarly, the Mind Faculty has a group of professionals that can be of help

Prepared by: A Hashim childpsy62@gmail.com

THE MIND FACULTY SDN BHD (988290-W)

A: Suite 11- G & 11- 1, Jalan Solaris 4, Solaris Mon’t Kiara, Jalan Solaris, Off Jalan Duta Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. T: +6 03 – 6203 0359, +6 03 - 6203 0733 │F: +6 03 – 6203 7533 │ W: www.themindfaculty.com