Children's mental health, and why it matters

As we find ourselves in Mental Health Awareness Month, it's a fitting time to spotlight an often overlooked aspect of mental wellbeing: children's mental health. While we might associate mental health primarily with adults, the truth is that children and young people are just as susceptible to emotional challenges and mental health issues. As a children’s nurse, sleep coach and lactation consultant (IBCLC) based in Dubai, I have a wealth of experience and understanding of the intimate connection between a child's emotional wellness and their overall development. Let's look at why children's mental health matters so profoundly.

Understanding the importance

The significance of nurturing children's mental health should be top of the list when we are raising our children, as high priority (if not more) as passing exams, or baby milestones. Just as we attend to their physical needs, providing nourishing food and a safe environment, we must also look after their emotional and psychological needs. Why? Because a child's mental health lays the foundation for their future wellbeing. When children feel secure, supported, and understood, they are better equipped to navigate life's challenges and build resilience. We seek the help of lactation consultants, dieticians, speech and language therapists, sleep coaches and many other health professionals, but often we forget the mental health aspect of their wellbeing.

Acknowledging emotions

One of the fundamental aspects of promoting children's mental health is acknowledging their emotions. From the joy of discovering something new to the frustration of not getting their way, children experience a wide range of feelings each day. We can see this in babies- when they cry to be fed, we breastfeed or give them a bottle. If they fall over as toddlers, we comfort them. By validating and normalising these emotions, we teach children that it's okay to feel and express themselves. This not only creates a healthy emotional development but also strengthens the parent-child bond.

Building resilience

Life is full of ups and downs, and learning to cope with setbacks is an essential life skill. By supporting children's mental health, we help them develop resilience – the ability to bounce back from life’s challenges, and how to process these emotionally. This is one of the things we look at in the Lullabies sleep coaching programme- gentle, age-appropriate boundaries and creating resilience. Whether it's a minor disappointment (such as not being given ice cream at 8 am!) or a more significant challenge, resilient children are better equipped to face obstacles head-on, emerge stronger from the experience and learn from what has happened.

The role of sleep and nutrition

As a sleep coach and lactation consultant, I've witnessed firsthand the profound impact that sleep and nutrition have on children's mental health. A good night's sleep is essential for regulating mood, improving concentration, and supporting overall mental well-being. Similarly, a balanced diet rich in nutrients provides the fuel our brains need to function optimally. When a family starts a sleep coaching programme with me, the first thing we look at is nutrition. Whether you have chosen to breastfeed, formula feed, combi-feed or are weaning/weaned, there’s lots of guidance to help optimise nutrition, and therefore sleep, cognitive functioning and physical health.

Taking action

So, what can we do to support children's mental health? Firstly, we can create a nurturing environment where children feel safe expressing their emotions. Encourage open communication, active listening, and empathy. Let them know you’re there for them, and they can talk to you about anything they need to. You can do this from birth- practicing giving your full attention to your baby (this means mobile phones and other distractions away). Be present, and train yourself to be present with your child in the future. Secondly, prioritise sleep and nutrition as integral components of your child's overall health plan. Enlist the help of a sleep coach, lactation consultant, dietician or any other allied health professional you feel you need to help you along the way. Finally, lead by example. Children learn by observing, so model healthy coping strategies, self-care habits, and the way you want them to live. ‘Do as I do, not as I say’ isn’t a commonly used parenting strategy anymore.

Children's mental health matters – today and every day. By acknowledging and prioritising their emotional well-being, we equip them with the tools they need to thrive and succeed in an increasingly complex world. As we celebrate Mental Health Month, let's remember to extend our care and compassion to the youngest members of our world.

Remember, it's not just about putting them to bed; it's about nurturing their minds beyond bedtime.