MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, BANDUNG — Alarming new data reveals that one in three children is struggling with mental disorders, primarily depression and anxiety, according to a member of the ‘Aisyiyah Council for Social Welfare Elli Nur Hayati.
In the international seminar conducted at Universitas Muhammadiyah Bandung on Thursday, March 7, Elli emphasized that addressing mental health issues in children goes beyond individual responsibility, requiring a multi-level approach involving families, communities, and the environment. She highlighted that these entities can act as both risk factors and protective factors for mental health.
Risk factors include bullying, traumatic experiences, and domestic violence. On the other hand, protective factors encompass support, attention, responsible smartphone use, sensitive response, healthcare, and early detection of mental disorders.
Elli stressed the importance of strengthening protective factors, as childhood experiences are considered crucial in determining a child’s mental resilience. She also emphasized the importance of raising awareness and promoting the understanding that mental health diagnoses should only be made by qualified professionals.
In the educational context, Elli highlighted the need for schools to be more sensitive to mental health issues among students and to provide appropriate support and assistance to enhance children’s mental well-being in the learning environment.
Furthermore, she emphasized the need to strengthen the role of families as the foundation for building a person’s mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. This is crucial in supporting children’s mental health as they face challenges.
Elli called for stricter regulations on gadget and social media use, considering their impact on children’s mental health. She also proposed other measures, such as providing early detection services for mental health and counseling services. These initiatives are considered essential for early identification of mental disorders and providing timely assistance to those in need.
Encouraging the creation of school environments and institutions that are conducive to mental health is also crucial. By fostering a supportive environment, it is hoped that pressure and stress can be reduced, allowing children to grow and develop without being burdened excessively.
Through these steps, Elli, a lecturer in psychology at Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, hoped that Muhammadiyah educational institutions can provide better protection and support for the mental well-being of the younger generation in the education sector.
