India

The blue beads strung around a black thread on her neck are a reminder of her new life, one filled with hope, love and the promise of a better future. As she had deftly put together the beaded necklace and her black-beaded bracelets, Preeti (name changed), 14-years-old, from a remote village in Kondagaon district, now hopes to turn her life around…

Five tips to take care of your mental health, Here are some basic tips to take care of your mental health Talk to someone You don’t have to go through this alone. Reach out to someone you trust, a parent or guardian, a close friend or your teacher. Tell them about your troubles and don’t hesitate or be afraid to ask for help. Take time out for yourself You need time for yourself, and you need…

The teenage years can be challenging in many ways. Academic stress, peer pressure and emotional and hormonal changes are some of the issues that mark these foundational years. This will help them effectively navigate this challenging period of life.     Here is a checklist for teenagers to connect better with their parents and caregivers It is…

Our mental health is a fundamental part of our overall health and well-being. As a parent, you play a massive role in supporting your child's mental well-being. Nurturing and loving care build a strong foundation, helping your child develop the social and emotional skills they need to lead a happy, healthy and fulfilled life.    Here are expert…

Mental health and well-being, How to support mental well being of your children and yourself Our mental health is a fundamental part to our overall health and well-being. As a parent, you play a huge role in supporting your child's mental well-being. Nurturing and loving care build a strong foundation, helping your child to develop the social and emotional skills they need to…, Mental health and well-being, How to support mental well being of your children and yourself Read More

We all want what's best for our children, but being a parent isn't always easy. Our mental health is a fundamental part to our overall health and well-being. As a parent, you play a huge role in supporting your child's mental well-being. Nurturing and loving care build a strong foundation, helping your child to develop the social and emotional…

The ICC and UNICEF are aiming to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing amongst children and adolescents and encourage greater conversation and understanding of it throughout the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 beginning on Sunday.   The event – the biggest ever in the UAE and Oman – begins on 17 October and comprises 45 matches across four…

NEW DELHI, 5 October 2021 – Children and young people in India could feel the impact of COVID-19 on their mental health and well-being for many years to come, UNICEF warned in its flagship report launched today by Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Government of India and a panel of experts. Dr Yasmin Ali Haque,…

Every parent worries about children getting upset and throwing temper tantrums, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when the majority of us are at home. Understanding and finding solutions to these tantrums doesn't need to be tricky, as our experts share their tips in response to questions about temper tantrums and how to tackle them., Is a temper tantrum normal?, A temper tantrum is an unpleasant and disruptive emotional outburst. It occurs because children are not able to regulate the anger that arises when they are prevented from doing something they want to or are not given something they desire. Temper tantrums are considered a normal part of a child's behaviour from 1.5 to 5 years of age. They occur …, When is a temper tantrum not normal?, If these episodes are more frequent and are disrupting a child's routine and causing harm to a child, it is vital to seek professional advice and redress this behaviour. To provide an appropriate response to a temper tantrum episode, you need to understand the stages of a temper tantrum. A tantrum episode can be divided into three stages, and…, How do I deal with a typical temper tantrum episode?, Stage 1: For screaming, yelling, crying and whining Move: Take the child to a different place. Distract: Young children have a short attention span. Use it and try to distract the child and offer something else. Engage them in a different activity and take the child away from the environment of the tantrum. Negotiate: Provide an alternative to…, What are other things we can do to prevent such episode to happen in future?, We must adopt certain principles to help us respond/manage a child's temper tantrum behaviour. These include disregarding or ignoring the child's attention-seeking behaviour, comforting and soothing and nurturing/comforting the child after the tantrum subsides. Intervening early by distracting and negotiating is also key. As a parent you need to:…

Children are a powerhouse of energy, and their curious mind constantly seeks stimulation. Being restricted indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic is therefore perhaps even harder for children than adults. Many parents struggling with occupational or social stress can sometimes take children being engrossed in digital devices as an opportunity to…, Indian Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines for Screen Time for children, Children below the age of 2 years should not be exposed to any type of screen with the exception of occasional video call with relatives.   Screen time for children between the age of 2 and 5 years should not exceed 1 hour; the lesser, the better.   For older children and adolescents, - other than online classes maximum of 2 hours. It is important…

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people's mental health across the world. Spending months on end in lockdown, getting exposed to negative news around the clock and losing near and dear ones has had a worrisome impact on mental health. Children and parents are among those who are struggling with issues related to mental health. Parents and…, Can a child get depressed, especially considering the current COVID-19 situation?, People of all ages can develop depression, including children and adolescents. Among children, depression is significantly higher in teenagers than younger children. Adolescence is the transition period from childhood to adulthood marked by emotional instability and rapid physical and social changes, which also create stress. Although depression…, How do I know if a child is depressed?, Some common symptoms of depression among children include: Changes in weight Disturbance in sleep patterns Unusual and persistent sadness or irritability Sudden loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed Sluggishness Lower self-esteem Hopelessness Thoughts of or attempts at suicide Parents must take note of these sudden changes in behaviour…, How can I help a child who is showing these symptoms?, First and foremost, what is needed is to recognize and acknowledge emotions. Acknowledge that the child can feel sad and can be depressed. An initial conversation regarding a child’s concerns/issues can be established by engaging the child in a conversation recognizing and acknowledging the emotions that the child may be feeling Understand the…, When should I seek help from a mental health professional?, Symptoms must persist for at least two weeks for a diagnosis of depression to be made. Also, some medical conditions (e.g. thyroid problems, a brain tumour or vitamin deficiency) can mimic the symptoms of depression so it is important to rule out other medical causes before diagnosing depression. Please be wary of the following and seek support;…