BREAKING THE SILENCE

Promoting an honest conversation about mental wellbeing is now crucial in a world where worries regarding children’s mental health are becoming more widely acknowledged. But when it comes to talking to kids about mental health issues, a lot of adults feel lost. Initiating meaningful talks with children and breaking the taboo around mental health are essential for their emotional resilience and well-being. The article explores the significance of promoting candid discussions about mental health with kids, provides useful tactics for starting these discussions and progress of Government Medical College Baramulla on children mental health.

The Value of Open Communication

Mental health issues can affect children of any age. Stress, anxiety and depression impact young minds in the same way that they do adults. But youngsters suffer in quiet a lot of the time because of social shame and ignorance. Through promoting candid conversations about mental health, we can establish a secure environment where kids may communicate their emotions, look for assistance, and acquire coping mechanisms. Additionally, having early discussions about mental health helps to de-stigmatize these problems and advance a compassionate and understanding society.

Talking to Children about Mental Health

Starting up a conversation with children about mental health doesn’t have to be difficult. First and foremost, provide a nurturing atmosphere in which kids may express themselves without worrying about being judged. Adopt language suitable for the age group and invite inquiries. Tell them that you understand and that it’s acceptable for them to occasionally feel depressed, nervous, or confused.

Promote Expression through Activities

Getting kids involved in activities can offer a safe space for them to talk about their feelings and mental health. Children can express their thoughts and feelings creatively through art, journalism or storytelling. Start discussions about mental health with these exercises. Ask them to describe the feelings they captured in the drawing and why, for instance, when they have finished it.

Demonstrate Healthy Coping Strategies

Since kids pick up on behavior from their parents, it’s critical to set a positive example for how to handle stress and emotions. Together, engage in mindfulness or deep breathing techniques. Promote outdoor play and physical activity as these can improve mental health. By practicing these methods, you help kids understand that it’s okay to go through ups and downs and that there are healthy ways to deal with challenging emotions.

Demonstrate Healthy Coping Strategies

Since children pick up on behavior from their parents, it’s critical to set a positive example for how to handle stress and emotions. Together, engage in mindfulness or deep breathing techniques. Promote outdoor play and physical activity as these can improve mental health. Children can learn that experiencing ups and downs is common and that there are healthy strategies to deal with challenging emotions by watching you use these techniques.

Common Concerns

When it comes to mental health issues, kids may have anxieties or misconceptions. Address these worries honestly and forthrightly, giving clear, reassuring

information in a style that is easy to understand. Utilize materials that are age-appropriate, such movies or novels, to start conversations and clear up any confusion.

Promote Assistance-Seeking Conduct

Instruct kids that it’s acceptable to request assistance when they’re having difficulties. Tell them about responsible persons in your community who they can contact, like school counselors, parents, and instructors. Make therapy and counseling more widely accepted as effective tools for resolving mental health issues. Children are empowered to take charge of their mental health when we support help-seeking behavior from an early age.

Applying Techniques in Everyday Life:

• Establish a Specific Time for Conversation: Decide on a regular time to chat to your child about their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This could occur during family activities, before bed, or during mealtimes. Maintaining consistency facilitates the normalization of conversations around mental health.
• Make Use of Everyday Opportunities: Take advantage of opportunities to discuss emotions and mental health that arise in everyday settings. For instance, if your child appears unhappy following a difficult day at school, gently ask them how they are feeling and extend your support.
• Be a Good Listener: Practice active listening when your child shares their thoughts or concerns. Give them your full attention, maintain eye contact, and validate their feelings without judgment. Let them know that you’re there to listen and support them.
• Educate Yourself: Take the time to educate yourself about mental health issues affecting This will equip you with the knowledge and resources needed to address your child’s questions and concerns effectively.
• Encourage Peer Support: Foster an environment where your child feels comfortable talking to their peers about mental health. Encourage them to reach out to friends or classmates if they need someone to talk to. Peer support can be a valuable source of comfort and understanding
• Lead by Example: Model healthy communication and coping skills in your own If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, openly discuss how you’re managing these emotions. By demonstrating resilience and self-care, you teach your child valuable skills for managing their own mental well-being.

The welfare baby clinic within the Department of Pediatrics of newly established Government medical College Baramulla serves as a crucial platform for encouraging open dialogue about mental health with children and their families.

Here are several key roles it plays in this important endeavor:

• Early Intervention and Screening: Welfare baby clinics often conduct routine check-ups and assessments for infants and young children. Incorporating mental health screening into these visits allows for early identification of potential concerns and facilitates timely By proactively addressing mental health issues from a young age, welfare

baby clinics promote early intervention and prevent the escalation of problems later in life.

• Parent Education and Support: Welfare baby clinics provide valuable opportunities for parent education and support. Pediatricians and healthcare professionals use these visits as occasions to educate parents about the importance of mental health and emotional well-being in They offer guidance on how to recognize signs of mental health difficulties, promote positive parenting practices that support children’s mental health, and provide resources for further assistance if needed.
• Referral to Mental Health Services: In cases where mental health concerns are identified during clinic visits, welfare baby clinics facilitate referrals to appropriate mental health services. This may include referrals to psychiatrists or specialized mental health programs for children. By providing seamless connections to mental health resources, welfare baby clinics ensure that children and families receive the support they need in a timely
• Community Outreach and Education: Welfare baby clinics engage in community outreach and education efforts to raise awareness about children’s mental health issues. This may involve support groups for parents on topics related to children’s mental health and well-being. By disseminating accurate information and resources, welfare baby clinics help to reduce stigma and promote understanding of mental health in the community. In coordination with AFHC (Adolescent friendly health clinic) the welfare baby clinic carries number of outreach program in different schools located within the district of Baramulla.
• Research and Quality Improvement: Welfare baby clinics can contribute to research and quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of interventions for children’s mental health. By collecting data, evaluating outcomes, and implementing evidence-based practices, welfare baby clinics can continuously improve the quality of care provided to children and

A research article was published in “IP international journal of medical paediatrics and oncology” by welfare baby clinic of department of pediatrics in GMC Baramulla which talks about psychological impact and autistic traits in children which includes the mental health awareness of children as well.

In the bustling corridors of our medical college, two individuals stand out as beacons of excellence, guiding us with their vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment to healthcare and education. As we reflect on their remarkable contributions, it is with deep admiration and gratitude that we praise the Head of the Department of Pediatrics and The Principal Prof (Dr) Ruby Reshi of our esteemed medical college. Under her guidance, our college has flourished into a prestigious institution known for its innovation, inclusivity and commitment to serving the community. Moreover, her unwavering dedication to community outreach ensures that its

impact extends far beyond the confines of its campus, positively influencing the health and well-being of populations near and far.

(Author is Vocational Counselor GMC Baramul;;:la, Email:[email protected])