What does child mental health mean?

Child mental health is vital for overall well-being and development. When a child’s mental health is optimal, they can engage in satisfying relationships, continue their psychological development, and play and learn appropriately for their age and intellect.

Psychological disorders among children range from 12% – 29% worldwide, and about 13% in Malaysia according to The National Health & Morbidity Survey, 1996.

What is normal psychosocial development?

Psychosocial development is a life long process, but tasks learnt in the first five years of life will shape the development. Development can be divided into:

• Cognitive (mental process) – understanding, calculating, reasoning, coordinating motor functioning, perception etc.
• Emotional – rapid development during pre-school. The tasks include :
  • Recognizing the significance and types of emotions. Learning to control emotions
  • Understanding the impact of emotions on behaviour
• Social – influenced by nature of attachment to the parents or primary caregiver
• Moral – involving issues of right and wrong

What are a child’s mental health needs

Mental health needs are mainly in two areas:

1. Basic Survival Needs
   • Safety and Shelter
   • Food
   • Physical Care and
   • Health Care
2. Psychosocial And Spiritual Needs
   • Faith in God
   • Unconditional Love
   • Security and stability
   • Adequate stimulation and new experiences
   • Positive supervised play
   • Education
   • Appropriate guidance
   • Assertive and instructive discipline
   • Predictable routine
   • Positive parenting

If the basic needs are met, the child will develop positive self-esteem. If needs are not met mental health problems may result.