This week is mental health week. And this year’s mental health week is particularly meaningful as many of us are facing challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and government prevention measures (lockdowns, shielding, travel restrictions, not allowed to meet and hug love ones, etc). These challenges have been overwhelming for both adults and children.
There has been widespread reporting of the effects the pandemic is having on our mental health and wellbeing. But what exactly is mental health, why is it not discussed and often stigmatised by some communities?
Mental health means different things to different people. However, it can be defined as a state of well-being, the ability to cope with the stresses of life and having positive interactions with your family, friends and community.
Having carried out some primary and secondary research as to why there is a stigma surrounding mental illness that prevents some people from getting help, I found that the overwhelming majority of responses were that mental health was seen as a sign of weakness and diagnosis and treatment should remain private and not shared or discussed with others.
These beliefs reinforce the idea that seeking help for mental health issues is dishonourable. Parents should try to create an open and honest environment for their children and dispel these misconceptions.
The causes of mental health are varied and include but are not limited to:
Social isolation
Discrimination
Bereavement
Unemployment
Poverty
Periods of high stress
Trauma and abuse
During the lockdowns we all had to self-isolate for extended periods of time, avoid contact with people outside of our households, adjust to social distancing, working from home and homeschooling.
Research into the impact of the lockdown on children and young people’s mental health is still ongoing and we are yet to fully understand the impact it has had. However, as lockdown continues to ease in the UK a clearer picture is beginning to emerge.
People from disadvantaged backgrounds were disproportionately affected and had to turn to food banks for their meals. Many people’s mental health deteriorated and some felt trapped in unsuitable living conditions, without access to a garden and green space.
And many children felt increasingly socially isolated without a digital device in the household and have unfortunately fallen behind their peers academically and emotionally.
Some other factors that have contributed to a decline in good mental health include: unemployment, furlough, redundancy, failing businesses, illness, cancelled exams, teacher assessed grades, increased workloads, balancing homeschooling and a full-time job and uncertainty about the future. These pressures heightened tensions and stress at home for people from all walks of life.
Many families have also experienced the loss of a loved one and were unable to seek help and support during this difficult time.
With the sudden change to our way of life many families are looking for a way forward and want to reduce the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on our lives and improve their well-being.
Below are some tips to creating an environment that promotes mental wellness in the home.
Model good behaviour. Children emulate their parents, therefore if you take good care of your mental health it will be easier for them to see what good habits looks like.
Encourage communication by asking questions and listening without judgement to your child.
Limit screen time and substitute this time with a meaningful activity that all the family can enjoy such as a game night or cooking together.
Establish healthy habits by emphasising the important of a healthy diet, a good night’s sleep and regular exercise.
Help your child develop their self - esteem by providing genuine praise often. This can give a significant boost to their mental health.
Play together. Set time aside to bond with your child through play. Studies show that playing with your child can decrease the risks of depression and anxiety.