Child Development and Stress

Growing up as a child, my dad was an alcoholic. Whenever my dad would drink, domestic violence would occur. To cope and survive, I would read, sing and makeup stories in my head. Reading allowed me to escape to faraway places and experience life with other families or average families. Had it not been for my love of books, I would have had a nervous breakdown, run away, or committed suicide to escape the reality of my world. Because of the stress I experienced as a child, I was shy, timid and I hate confrontations.

In South Africa, one of the main stressors is post traumatic stress disorder that stems from violence and war. I have also included a chart below of associated stressors that occur to children in South Africa

 Children who are exposed to these stressors can suffer from the violent outburst. They have emotional problems that can cause them to become shy and withdrawn. Children and adolescents treated for post-traumatic stress disorder at the Free State Psychiatric Complex. Children referred to the FSPC are also exposed to traumatic events which lead to the development of PTSD. The Free State is an expansive area with isolated areas where specialist services and facilities are limited. They recommended that preventive programs, training opportunities and consultation services are implemented to identify and treat children and adolescents with PTSD. Schools with limited access to psychological services and large classrooms, impeding the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD specifically, face similar challenges. Reinforcement of professional services and the upgrading of facilities will decrease the burden on the Child Mental Health Unit, but will require collaborative efforts from role players such as the National Departments of Health and Education.

Children and Adolescents Treated for Post-Traumatic Stress ... (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1G1-380143896/children-and-adolescents-t

PUBLIC HEALTH IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT

 Mental Health in Africa

 

The Mental health of mothers, fathers, and families is a subject that is near and dear to my heart. While working as a Mental Health and Disability Coordinator for a Head Start program for six years, I worked with children and families about mental health issues, and I faced some roadblocks along the way. Because social and emotional problems impair up to 10-14% of children nationally, and the consequences can impact society beyond measure is an issue that all educators need more training and education.

Africa is a place that is prone to conflict mainly south of the Sahara. Most of its countries have areas that are characterized by low incomes, a high predominance of infectious diseases and malnutrition, low life expectancy and poorly staffed services. Mental health issues often come last on the list of priorities for policy makers.

The frequency of mental health problems is high, largely due to inadequate care at childbirth, malnutrition, malaria and parasitic diseases. Mental Health is still highly stigmatized, particularly because it is often considered infectious, which leads to the social isolation of the sufferer and can result in mental distress. It is estimated that from the ages of 0-9, 3 % suffers from a mental disorder. As in the United States, there is a stigma attached to mental health and there is also the problem of superstitions bringing stigma to mental illness. In some parts of Africa, mental health nurses take care of the patients and prescribe medications as well.

The world we live in is becoming a violent place where people don’t seem to have empathy for other individuals. As an early educator, mental wellness is just as important as preparing children for kindergarten. It is my belief that if we can address mental wellness before birth, we will be able to have a society which thinks of others and can control their impulses. Mental wellness activities and interventions will become a daily occurrence in the centers, schools, and classrooms that I work in.

 Reference

North Carolina Infant/Young Child Mental Health Association ... (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ncimha.org