Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being, not just the absence of illness. Mental health enables us to cope with stress, realize our potential, and contribute to our communities. Just like physical health, mental health is an essential part of overall health and well-being.
We discussed the importance of mental health in children and youth with Ms. Miroslava Marjanović, an integrative psychotherapist specializing in children and adolescents, with over 20 years of experience working with young people. Read the full interview below.
When we talk about the mental health of children and youth, does it still seem like a taboo subject, or is awareness about the importance of mental health growing?
The topic of mental health for children and youth is gradually becoming less taboo, but the situation still depends on social, cultural, and economic contexts. The importance of maintaining mental health is increasingly recognized, but stigma, lack of education, and limited access to resources remain challenges. Positive progress has been seen since the COVID-19 pandemic, which further highlighted the importance of mental health as many young people faced isolation, stress, and uncertainty. Young people themselves began using social media to share their experiences, contributing to normalizing conversations about mental health. On the other hand, schools, media, and families are starting to create spaces to discuss mental health openly.
What is the greatest importance of maintaining mental health in children and youth? How can we preserve their mental health in a time full of challenges they face?
Mental health in children and youth is the foundation for their healthy emotional, social, and cognitive development. Preserving it is crucial because it impacts all areas of life. Good mental health helps children develop self-confidence, resilience to stress, and problem-solving skills, preparing them to face adult life challenges. Children with stable mental health have better concentration, motivation, and emotional stability, contributing to their academic success. Additionally, emotionally stable and confident children find it easier to build quality relationships with family, friends, and the community. Early preservation of mental health reduces the risk of developing serious mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems later in life.
Considering modern challenges like technological pressure, academic stress, socio-economic inequalities, peer violence, and global crises, maintaining mental health requires a comprehensive approach and joint efforts from family, school, community, and society at large. Children need support in the form of open dialogue, emotional safety, and access to resources. It is essential to help them build emotional resilience so they can face the challenges of the modern world and grow into healthy, satisfied adults.
What factors influence the mental health of children and young people?
The mental health of children and young people is influenced by various factors that can be individual, family-related, and social. These factors can have either a positive (protective factors) or negative (risk factors) effect on their emotional, social, and psychological well-being.
Individual factors relate to the personal traits, abilities, and experiences of each child or young person. These include genetic predispositions to mental disorders such as depression or anxiety, as well as neurobiological characteristics that may affect mental health. Physical health, chronic illnesses, hormonal changes, or disabilities can also impact mental well-being. Additionally, self-confidence and a positive self-image contribute to better mental health, while low self-esteem can increase vulnerability.
Family factors include a stable and supportive family environment, which contributes to maintaining mental health. Conversely, conflicts, neglect, or violence in the family increase the risk of problems. Parenting styles also play a role—parents who show warmth, understanding, and support help children develop emotional resilience. Authoritarian or overly permissive parenting styles may negatively affect mental health. Financial difficulties, loss of a parent, divorce, or other family traumas can have a profound impact on mental health as well.
Social factors and environment significantly shape the mental health of children and young people. These include peer relationships, friendships, and peer support, which have positive effects, whereas peer violence, exclusion, or isolation increase the risk of emotional problems. The school environment is also important; a safe and inclusive school that provides support positively influences mental health. On the other hand, pressure to succeed, discrimination, or violence are harmful factors. Lastly, social media can provide a sense of connection but can also be a source of exclusion and bullying.
How can disrupted mental health in children and young people be restored? What can children and youth do themselves, and what role do their families and surroundings play?
Restoring disrupted mental health in children and young people requires a comprehensive approach involving the children and youth themselves, their families, schools, communities, and professionals. The recovery process is individual and depends on the causes and severity of the problems, but there are general guidelines that can help.
Children and young people can help themselves by learning to recognize and express their feelings through conversations with trusted adults, friends, or professionals. They can develop healthy habits such as physical activity, maintaining a regular sleep schedule to restore energy and stabilize mood, proper nutrition rich in fruits, vegetables, and proteins (while avoiding energy drinks and excessive sugar and salt), limiting time on social media, and learning stress management techniques.
Parents and close relatives can help by creating a safe and supportive environment where open communication is encouraged without judgment. Parents should show love, acceptance, and support even during difficult times. It is important to pay attention to changes in behavior, mood, or routine, such as withdrawal, loss of interest in activities, or sudden emotional reactions, and respond promptly if such changes are noticed. Spending quality time with children, taking an interest in their activities, and providing a sense of security are vital. Guiding them toward activities that promote development and emotional well-being is also essential. Setting healthy boundaries during a child’s development is very important. And of course, when problems are more severe, seeking help from a specialist—such as a psychologist, psychotherapist, or pediatrician—is necessary to provide professional support.
Children and young people should be encouraged to reach out to trusted adults—parents, close relatives, teachers, or school psychologists/counselors—when they feel they cannot solve a problem on their own.
„I would tell children and young people to never be ashamed to talk about how they feel. It’s important to share your thoughts and worries with people you trust. Often, we feel like our problem is happening only to us, but when we share it with others, we see that there are other people who have similar or the same problems and can understand what we are going through. There is a saying that if we share a problem, it’s already half solved, so it’s very important not to keep things to yourself but to find someone you can talk to.“
