We all grow up differently. Our childhood stories are different, and the reason for that is because we all come from different backgrounds, surroundings, religions, or different cultures. No two humans grow up in the same way.
But even if our growing up stories are different from others, we can still offer some help to people who are trying to grow.
Every year, Children’s mental health takes place during February 7th-13th. Place2Be is a children’s mental health charity organisation located in the United Kingdom. With over 25 years of experience, Place2Be has been organising this children’s mental health week every year.
The annual children’s mental health week occurs in order to shine a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health. This year’s theme is “Growing Together”.
This theme has been picked carefully. “Growing Together” is all about encouraging children and adults to consider how they have grown and how they can help others grow. Growing together is about growing emotionally and finding ways to make the process of growing easier for others.
When we talk about child development, there are 4 main types. Namely, Physical development, mental development, emotional development and social development. These four types help in a child’s overall development. These changes occur from birth to adulthood and shape a child’s mindset, bodily functions and personality. The development of a child is heavily based on the parental genes, as well as the child’s surrounding.
While Physical growth is fast paced and visible to everyone, emotional growth can be gradual and invisible. A child’s ability to think and reason is called intellectual development. A child learns to generate ideas and thoughts, organise their mind, learn how to reason and argue in this mental maturation stage.
According to research that has spanned over around 50 years, 1 in 6 children or young people have a diagnosable mental health problem, and many more struggles. 50% of those with lifetime mental health problems first experience symptoms by the age of 14. And 1 in 10 boys aged 5-19 with a mental health condition are excluded in some form from school.
But charities like Place2Be are safe places which work hard to support children in need. These charities understand and acknowledge the fact that each child is different, and therapists and councillors work accordingly to the child’s needs. It is very important to understand that no one should have to face their mental problems alone.
So, let’s all come together to spend another children’s mental health week together where we reminisce about our childhood, where we celebrate growing together through different events and fundraisers, so we can transform children’s and young people’s lives.
References:
Anuja Aphale.