When we talk about mental health, we often think about adults.
We talk about stress, anxiety, depression, burnout and the importance of asking for help. But children have mental health too and their emotional wellbeing deserves just as much attention.
October is Mental Health Awareness Month, making it a good time to pause and think about the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children too.
Children’s mental health is shaped by the world around them. It is influenced by their relationships, their experiences, their sense of safety and belonging and the adults who support them as they grow.
And sometimes, supporting a child’s mental health starts with something that looks very simple: giving them a safe place to play, learn, talk and be themselves.
Children’s Mental Health Starts Early
A young child may not have the words to say, “I’m feeling anxious,” “I’m struggling” or “I don’t know how to deal with what is happening.”
Instead, they may become withdrawn, frustrated, clingy, unusually quiet or easily upset.
They may struggle to concentrate or find it difficult to manage their emotions.
This doesn’t mean that every difficult behaviour is a sign of a mental health concern. Children have difficult days too. But changes in behaviour and emotional wellbeing can sometimes tell us that a child needs more understanding, support or reassurance.
The earlier we give children opportunities to express themselves and develop healthy ways of coping, the better.
Sometimes, Play Says What Words Cannot
For young children, play is more than entertainment.
Through play, children explore the world around them. They learn how to interact with others, solve problems, express emotions and develop confidence.
A child who struggles to explain how they feel may be able to show it through play.
A child who finds it difficult to join a group may gradually develop confidence through positive interactions with other children.
A child who is learning to manage frustration can practise taking turns, sharing, communicating and trying again.
This is one of the reasons that play can be such an important part of supporting children’s emotional wellbeing.
Building Confidence, One Child at a Time
At George Child and Family Welfare, our Little Lions Programme creates a space where children can learn, play and develop important social and emotional skills.
Little Lions consists of 12 sessions held over 12 weeks, reaching children in communities including Rosemoor, Borcherds, Conville and Thembalethu.
Little Lions Facilitator Maydine Jansen explains why the programme can be beneficial to children’s mental wellbeing:
“Little Lions empowers little ones from as young as 8 to 13 years old with the right tools and skills to understand their emotions and build resilience in situations where they may feel vulnerable.”
Through the programme, children are encouraged to develop confidence, build positive relationships and learn ways of expressing themselves.
They learn that it is okay to ask for help, how to communicate with others, how to recognise and manage big feelings, that mistakes are part of learning and that they have something valuable to contribute.
These may seem like small things, but they can make a real difference as children grow into confident young people.
Mental Health Is Also About Connection
Children need to feel seen, heard and valued. Having caring adults who listen, notice when something changes and make time for them can make a real difference to their emotional wellbeing. Whether that connection comes from a parent, teacher, caregiver, social worker or another trusted adult, knowing that someone is there can help a child feel supported and less alone.
Programmes such as our Buddy programme also create opportunities for children and young people to connect, participate and build positive relationships.
We Don’t Have to Wait for a Crisis
Mental Health Awareness Month gives us an opportunity to talk openly about children’s mental health, but supporting a child’s wellbeing shouldn’t only happen when something goes wrong.
It can happen in the everyday moments: by listening when children want to talk, making time for play, encouraging them when things are difficult and helping them understand that their feelings matter.
And when a child needs more support than we can provide on our own, asking for help is an important part of caring for them.
Every Child Deserves the Opportunity to Thrive
Supporting a child’s mental health isn’t about trying to make sure they are happy all the time.
Children will experience sadness, frustration, disappointment, fear and anger. These are all part of growing up. What matters is helping children develop the confidence and skills they need to understand and manage those feelings.
That support starts early. It happens in the small, everyday moments.
At George Child and Family Welfare, programmes such as Little Lions and Buddy provide opportunities for children to build confidence, connect with others and develop skills that can support their emotional wellbeing.
Because children’s mental health matters – and the little things matter too.
Image Credit: Pexels