The pandemic has brought the focus on mental health to the forefront, but it is seldom understood in the context of young children.

Children can also have mental health issues, something that many parents and guardians are unaware of. With schools closed, lack of recreation and play opportunities, economic stress in the household and health-related worries for parents, anxiety among children is on the rise.

Childhood is a critical stage of development; not just for physical development, but also for cognitive, emotional, and social development which shape one’s future mental health. Good mental health helps children develop the resilience to cope with whatever life throws at them, develop healthy relationships, and grow into well-rounded, healthy adults. 

Symptoms often start in early childhood, although some disorders may develop during the teenage years.

Childhood mental disorders for kids below three years are aspects like delay in developmental milestones, delays in speech and language, delay in communication and behavioural issues.

Read the full story that first appeared in Deccan Chronicle dated July 12, 2021 here: