Most people think that mental illness is only related to adults. As society functions, the act of balancing a healthy family life and work life becomes difficult, leading adults to suffer from anxiety and depression. It is true that adults tend to face mental health problems, however, the mental health of children is just as important.
While most adults struggle to deal with stress and daily worries, we often tend to overlook our children’s mental health. Most of us assume that childhood is the most relaxed time. Children are highly unlikely to suffer from mental health problems and illnesses. Student life gets complicated day by day. Childhood should be a happy time in a person’s life. However, dealing with mental and emotional illnesses can get in the way of this worry-free time. It can also affect and cause more problems in adulthood.
Children can experience the same amount of stress and depression as an adult, the symptoms may differ from those of adults. For example, instead of keeping quiet, a child suffering from depression may have unexplained outbursts and behavior problems.
There can be a number of causes for mental and emotional concerns in children. These can include things like meeting new people, dealing with parental divorce, death, grievances, abuse, poverty, problems at school, and problems with peers. However, some disorders can be hereditary and also caused by genetic factors.
Child counseling or youth counseling is a type of counseling that focuses on children who are suffering from mental disorders or behavioral problems. Guidance is needed to help children achieve optimal performance and appropriate adjustments in various life situations. Child counselors can help children stabilize mentally and emotionally, which can help them grow into healthier, happier adults.
Today’s counselors work with children using different types of therapy, such as play therapy, individual counseling, group therapy, and arts and crafts therapy. Through these activities, children tend to reveal many of their thoughts and emotions, and the counselor can also tap into concerns. Kids today are aware of the counseling services provided to them in schools, however they also have stereotypes about visiting a counselor as they do not wish to fall under the ‘crazy’ label. This is where as parents we need to make them understand the difference between being crazy and reality. This can only happen when we ourselves understand that Counseling is a means through which they can help themselves and lead a healthy life.
Children face various problems at school, from body shaming to bullying and peer pressure. Exams are meant for children to understand how they improve in a subject, the current scenario, however, leads them to face stress and depression due to low grades.
Children’s counselors work for children and with children. The atmosphere in a counseling session becomes more friendly and comfortable rather than one in which fears of speaking adapt. Counseling helps children to better express themselves and feel safe while expressing their thoughts and needs apart from their near and dear ones. Just like adults, children today also feel pressured to live according to the norms of society based on their age groups. Sometimes the need to fit in increases and the inability to do so leads to disturbing thoughts and doubts. This, which in turn affects their self-concept and character building.
Visiting a counselor is a decision that one makes for the best present for yourself and your child, which will then lead to a better and healthier future.