Data jointly released by UNICEF and the World Health Organization show that among the 1.2 billion adolescents aged 10 to 19 in the world, about 16% suffer from diseases and injuries caused by mental health problems, and about 15% of adolescents in low- and middle-income countries have suicidal thoughts; suicide has become the second leading cause of death among adolescents aged 15 to 19.
It can be seen that adolescent mental health issues have become a global problem.
- Current status of adolescent mental health
The mental health status of primary and secondary school students in my country is indeed worrying. According to surveys and statistics from relevant departments in my country, nearly 30% of primary and secondary school students have psychological problems to varying degrees, manifested as school aversion, anxiety, loneliness, inferiority, self-abandonment, hostility, rebellion, arrogance, Internet addiction, poor social relationships, etc., and even lead to crime and suicide.
- Analysis of adolescent psychological problems
The main cause of students' mental health problems is exam-oriented education. Under the pressure of the enrollment rate, schools have made students overburdened with schoolwork and have been under tension and pressure for a long time. The brain cannot get the proper rest and the spirit cannot get the proper relaxation, which leads to emotional irritability, depression, anxiety, pessimism and disappointment. In addition, the emotional disharmony between teachers and students can also cause students to feel depressed, bored, inferior, rebellious, etc. The social environment can also affect the psychology of teenagers. The colorful world broadens their horizons and gives them more knowledge and information. But at the same time, they like to hunt for novelties, and they become pessimistic and disgusted with the world if they cannot get what they want. In particular, some unhealthy trends in society and the influence of bad media can distort the young minds of students, causing disappointment, indifference, dissatisfaction, anger, indifference, or seeking excitement, and making some extreme behaviors.
It is crucial to pay attention to children's mental health, because mental health plays a key role in the comprehensive development of children. Here are some important reasons to pay attention to children's mental health:
- Comprehensive development: Mental health is an important part of children's comprehensive development. In addition to academic performance and physical health, mental health also directly affects children's social skills, emotional management, problem-solving skills, etc.
- Academic performance: Good mental health helps improve learning efficiency and academic performance. Psychological stress and anxiety may have a negative impact on learning, while a good mental state helps to improve learning motivation and concentration.
- Social relationships: Children's mental health is directly related to their social skills. Having a healthy mental state can promote positive social interactions, help build good interpersonal relationships, and cultivate the ability to cooperate and communicate.
- Emotional management: Learning to effectively deal with emotions and cope with stress plays a vital role in children's lives. Good mental health enables them to adapt to various emotions and stresses in life and learn positive emotional management strategies.
- Self-esteem and self-confidence: Mental health helps to cultivate children's self-esteem and self-confidence. A confident and positive mental state makes children more courageous to face challenges and more easily adapt to changes. 6. Preventing problem behaviors: Good mental health helps prevent the occurrence of problem behaviors. Psychological problems may lead to a series of bad behaviors, such as aggression, autism, school avoidance, etc. By paying attention to mental health, the incidence of these problems can be reduced.
- Long-term impact: The mental health of children often has a profound impact on their mental health in adulthood. Establishing a good mental health foundation will help them better cope with various challenges in life in the future.
Criteria for judging children's mental health
- Strong desire for knowledge
Such children have a wide range of interests, like to observe things, love to use their brains, have quick thinking, want to learn everything, want to try everything, react quickly to new things, and dare to put forward their own opinions.
- Strong willpower
Not afraid of difficulties and setbacks, never give up until the goal is achieved, and never give up halfway. Able to control one's own desires and behaviors according to one's own needs, and can eliminate external and internal interference, and concentrate on learning and working.
- Lively and optimistic
Be honest and easy-going in communication with others, do not hide one's joys and sorrows, be willing to accept other people's opinions, and quickly release the negative emotions caused by difficulties and setbacks, without silting up in the heart.
- Balanced mentality
Always maintain a happy and cheerful mentality, be calm in the face of things, rarely have big ups and downs in emotions, can rationally analyze the problems encountered, and rarely show anxiety or depression.
- Sympathetic
Willing to help others, willing to care for others, often show "altruistic" and "pro-social" behavior.
- Good interpersonal relationships
Open-minded, respect others, and get along with others. Actively participate in group activities, adapt to discipline constraints and behavioral norms.
- Moderate reaction ability and coordinated behavior
Healthy children and adolescents have harmonious and unified psychological activities and behavioral patterns. Respond moderately to external stimuli, neither abnormally sensitive nor abnormally slow, and have a certain ability to adapt and cope.
- Psychological age is consistent with actual age
Mental health children and adolescents have psychological and behavioral characteristics consistent with their actual age, and form psychological and behavioral patterns that are adapted to their age stage. If the psychology and behavior seriously deviate from the characteristics of the corresponding age group, there may be psychological development problems. If development is seriously lagging or ahead of time, it is a manifestation of psychological unhealthiness.
Parents should always pay attention to their children's mental health, because it is not only related to the current development of children, but also affects their future happiness and social functions. By providing a supportive family environment, positive parent-child interaction, and timely and effective mental health intervention, parents can help children establish a healthy mental state and lay a solid foundation for their all-round development.
