Behavioural changes in children, students

Dr Mazvita Machinga, Mental Health

Over the past months, there have been concerns of schoolchildren participating in various anti-social activities such as substance abuse and Vuzu parties.

It is so disturbing and making many parents get worried.

Police have even arrested some of the young people participating in such activities.

As we are preparing for schools to open, this article will assist parents and teachers be ready to identify signs of children who may be encountering mental health issues and make sure children get timeous help.

Towards the end of the year, a teacher chatted with me about a student whom she thought needed some help.

The teacher was concerned that the student had changed drastically in a short period of time.

“I noticed that Jaru no longer did her homework, and she didn’t even try even when encouraged.

“During the term, Jaru would come to school untidy, wearing the dirty uniform.

When I tried to speak to her, she was uncharacteristically distant and withdrawn.

Because I had some training in Mental Health First Aid, I knew Jaru was in some sort of trouble.

So, as we discussed we realised the need for parents and teachers to identify signs and symptoms before a child gets into serious trouble.”

The most important thing is that as parents we need to know our children similarly as teachers, we need to have a general understanding of our students so that when there is a change in their behaviour,we can easily identify it.

Before I discuss the  signs, it is important to say that a strong parent-child connection is key in all this. Keep the lines of communication completely open with your child.

Parents should have quality time with their children so that they know their children and children also know what their parents expect from them.

While it is hard to have a one size fits it all in terms of signs, the following are some of the signs that parents and teachers may observe.

Once you observe these signs, it is important that the child gets help in time.

It may not be advisable to procrastinate until the child is in trouble. Some of the signs that there might be a serious problem include:

1. a) Abrupt angry or aggressive behaviours from a child who used to relate well with others
2. b) Mood changes and intense feelings that seem to be so strange to you as a parent or teacher
3. c) Increased lateness or absences to school — one of the earliest signs
4. d) Poor concentration both at home and at school. If the student can’t focus, fidgets around then it’s a cause for concern.
5. e) Lying and frequently arguing with adults
6. f) Resistance to authority — constantly refusing to follow rules or comply with requests from adults
7. g) If a child or student seems withdrawn, silent, or join bad company
8. h) If a child/student appears overly anxious or worried, even fearful
9. i) Substance abuse and also being suicidal

What to Do if You Suspect Your Child Might Have a Problem

1. a) Be there for your child and connect with your child. Failure to do so other people will avail themselves to your child even strangers and this will not be good at all.
2. b) Communicate with your child in safe and loving ways — Positive face-to-face connection is key.
3. c) Communicate what you are concerned about and listen without judging
4. d) Act NOW to address concerns that interfere with your child’s ability to learn and day to day functioning.
5. e) Don’t minimise or brush aside the seriousness of signs of mental health challenges.
6. f) Establish boundaries, rules and consequences.
7. g) Know that you are not alone and that there are solutions.

 Teachers can take steps in their classroom to help recognise mental health issues in students.

 

1. a) Know the warning signs of mental health challenges.
2. b) Avoid embarrassment. When dealing with a student who is facing mental health challenges, take them aside or out to explain the problem rather than reprimanding them in front of their classmates.
3. c) Ensure that they know the problem is with the behaviour — not them — and how you expect them to behave moving forward.
4. d) Early recognition is important
5. e) Seek the help of school guidance and counselling section, school counsellors and other community mental health professionals.

The most important thing is to watch red flags and act quickly do not wait for your child to be expelled from school. I wish all the school children a fruitful first term of 2020, seek help whenever you face challenges.

 

Dr Mazvita Machinga is a Psychotherapist based in Mutare. For more information contact 0771 754 519 / 0778 83 84 10email:  [email protected]