Mental Wellbeing
Keeping kids mentally healthy
Did you know?
Auckland DHB runs a free clinic, the Kari Centre, for kids with a mental health problem. And another clinic called Te Tangata Tonu for kids with a parent who has a mental illness.
10 things that children need most
- The basics – food, clothing, warmth, shelter and love.
- To feel safe and secure.
- Cuddles and good touching.
- Lots of smiles.
- Praise and encouragement .
- Talking.
- Listening.
- New experiences.
- Respect for their feelings.
- Your time and care.
Source: NZ Child, Youth and Family
At home
Loving and caring properly for your baby right from the moment he or she is born is important for his or her mental health. It’s very important for children to have a sense of belonging in all settings, a significant person in their life, the ability to cope and a range of positive experiences. There are a number of things you and others can do to protect and promote children’s mental health right through childhood and into adolescence - see box above.
At school
School aged children spend close to half their waking hours at school, so it’s very important that their mental health is protected there. A good home contributes hugely to kids’ mental well-being; if that’s in place, the school can get on with teaching. But when there are issues at home, like alcohol and drug use, or abuse, children’s self-worth can be very poor.
If the school can’t help, the child will miss out on learning, and this will have long-term effects on his or her life. Good relationships with teachers are an important first step. If you are a parent or caregiver, make sure you tell teachers what’s happening in your kids’ lives so they and the school are prepared to respond to their needs.
Tips for schools
- Schools must be safe emotionally, socially and physically.
- Staff and students must be encouraged to reach their full potential.
- Self worth for everyone should be fostered through policies, programmes and practices.
- Schools should model positive mental health.
- Effort as well as achievement should be acknowledged.
- All actions and communications should be respectful.
- Teachers should be caring and nurturing and foster warm relationships.
- Young people should be encouraged to seek help when they need it and have access to counseling services.
- Schools should promote resilience and positive thinking.
- Connectedness to others should be encouraged.
- Schools should support and refer students showing signs of mental health problems or who are at risk.
- There should be easy means of accessing immediate crisis support.
- Schools should involve students in working in partnership with teachers and parents.
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