Micro-Impacts on the Mental Health of Children
Two weeks back I wrote a piece in support of Mike King and his organisation’s Gumboot Friday. In the comments section someone asked what I considered the factors to be with the apparent worsening of mental health for children and young people; for example evidenced by calls to Life Line.
My relevant background here is a few tertiary qualifications that shed some light, being in education as a teacher/Principal since 1991, bringing-up three children, observing many families and constantly researching how to improve education outcomes for children in such a way that they feel aspirational about their future.
Clearly this is a huge topic and container loads of books get written about it. Last week I wrote a post on what I consider to be some of the Meta-Impacts (causes) on poor mental health for young people. The aim of these posts is not to be THE expert – but more as lead-ins to get the views of people who might comment and have insights. This post is on the impacts of the child’s direct environment. A third post will look at improving things and with urgency.
Micro Causes:
Some children appear to be almost naturally pre-disposed to anxiety and vulnerable to any negativity. Being anxious is a tendency for them and they need loads of nurture to build resilience. They don’t intend it and “walk it off” is not the pathway to content for them. In our society – including schools – there is very little effective resourcing for these young people. We have 10,000 students not even enrolled in any school and there are children who are school averse through being too scared to go.
I believe that we have many parents in New Zealand who are poorly equipped for the hardest task in the world. That might be through their past, their age, lack of a partner and/or other forms of support (e.g. extended families). I often hear people talk about remarkably successful and creative adults who grew up in appalling situations (my brilliant, late, father-in-law spent nearly six years as a child in Holland under Nazi rule). My impression is that these people are an exception rather than the rule. I also hear people say – “well they should not have had a child(ren) if they are not up to the job.” That ignores the current children in very difficult circumstances. Wealth and good parenting also do not go hand in hand. We may well be in a parenting crisis. How many families eat together 5 – 7 times a week? How many parents read to their children every night? How many parents have superbly structured rules around screen-time and web access? As a society we seemed to think that since we stopped smacking we have prevented neglect, abuse and indifference.
Much of our schooling is appalling. Underqualified teachers. Very poor practices. Teachers who publicly complain about their jobs. A huge lack of aspiration that does not support the development of self-esteem at all. Self esteem and reliance is earnt through achievement.
Peer negativity and bullying significantly impact many children and teens. The PISA studies have NZ children as the most bullied in the OECD. We seem somewhat wired to seek acceptance – when that leads to children and teens seeking it through alcohol, smoking, and delinquent behaviour to impress others it is almost always unlikely to end well. Many children simply feel desperately lonely.
The impact of internet content and social media is massive – particularly when parents choose to neglect their protective role through ignorance, or laziness. Many children become so wound up (addicted?) to their phones and social media that they emotionally black-mail parents to let them continue to have unfettered access. Parents choose to be powerless – but there is also less help from schools, etc, that there should be. One NZ couple if doing incredible work in this area and produced this world class documentary. I doubt that any sane human being can watch that documentary and not consider that we have a MASSIVE problem with pornography and social media that will impact this generation to the extent that many will not be able to have loving, balanced, respectful and fulfilling relationships.
Very much love to know your thoughts.
More next week. Please support Gumboot Friday on the 28th: www.iamhope.org.nz/