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about the idea. Zwane further explains
the importance of normalising the
fact that there’s nothing wrong
with someone having something
imbalanced or behavioural changes
that are based on genetics, social
constructions or difficulties they are
experiencing at that time.
HOW THEY COME ABOUT
Zwane and Mthimkhulu both
emphasise that mental illnesses are
very common and everyone should
be aware of their mental wellness. To
understand how they come about,
Zwane looks at it from the biological,
psychological and social factors that
may trigger the illness.
Biological Factors: The disorder
is passed down from generation to
generation on either side of the child’s
parents. This means that the disorder
runs in the family.
Psychological Factors: They are
based on psychological encounters
that the child comes across such as
bullying at school, domestic violence
at home or parents getting a divorce.
Social Factors: It is based on
the social status that they are faced
with, especially economic status and
poverty.
Mthimkhulu also added that some
life incidents that the child witnesses,
such as violence, could be traumatic.
“Parents should avoid fighting in front
of children, leaving a child with a
stranger, regularly changing nannies,
where the child could be in danger of
abuse. Leaving a child alone at night
and not coming back can make the
child feel neglected,” Zwane says.
She further advises parents not to
neglect responsibilities within their
control.
IF DETECTED EARLY
Parents should know their children’s
behaviour so that they can spot
changes when they happen. Zwane
says that there’s a chance of healing
for most mental illnesses if detected
sooner. “There are some that can be
managed because they are genetic. A
lot of them can be corrected because
the brain of the child is not fully
developed. The vital part of the brain
that is responsible for decision making,
assessment of situations, judgement
and personality development is
not fully developed, hence we don’t
diagnose personality disorders before
the child has reached 18,” Zwane adds.
Mthimkhulu further assures parents
that they are providing healing that is
better for the child.
IF NOT DETECTED EARLIER
Mental illness could have a cognitive
impact on the child in the future if
not detected or treated earlier, both
psychologists highlight. “If not treated
earlier, they could get what we call
persistent depressive disorder, which
is depression that has gone untreated
for many years and now converted
into maladaptive copying mechanism
for the child. They could be struggling
to cope and have a lot of suicidal
attempts at a later stage,” Zwane says.
She further adds that they can have
personality disorders as they grow up,
which is something that could have
been corrected at a childhood level.
Mthimkhulu says that the rise of
incidents among high school learners
such as the Mondeor High School
learner who was murdered on his
way to school, and the teenagers
who were involved in the murder
of Thorisho Themane, could be an
indication of mental health cases
that went untreated and escalated in
future. “That could be the result of
psychological issues where the child
never learnt how to express anger and
end up killing someone. That could
mean something went wrong in their
earlier life,” he said.
PARENTS’ ROLE
The role of parents is also crucial in
the wellbeing of a child. Not only do
they need to take care of the child
physically, but also mentally. Zwane
encourages parents to be supportive,
present and consistent at all times.
“Your child needs a hand to hold as
they go through this stage of life that
could be confusing for them as they
don’t understand what is happening.
Be there for your child at all times
to easily pick up things that are not
normal for your child. Home routines
like bath times, bed times, spending
time with your child and reading
stories should be consistent,” Zwane
encourages.
She also recognises that it could be
difficult to draw the line between a
child’s normal behaviour and mental
disorder. “Parents need to be observant
and know what ‘normal’ looks like
to their child. When your child does
something out of baseline-normal
level of how your child behaves, you
could be able to pick it up and seek
help.
When your child is quiet or spending
a lot of time alone and not wanting
to socialise with other children, then
you’ll start asking yourself what is
happening.”
Zwane explains the importance
of parents allowing their children to
speak up when they have problems.
“Play with your child and allow them to
share things that happen at school and
their everyday lives so that it becomes
easier for them to even share their bad
experiences,” Zwane suggests. ■
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