Leading children psych calls for greater focus on toddler wellbeing
Children as young as three are missing out on critical mental health care, a leading Townsville psychologist has said.
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Children as young as three are missing out on critical mental health care, a leading Townsville psychologist has said.
Registered psychologist Carolyn Seri works with children, adolescents, adults and families with a passion for helping people not just in a moment of crisis, but from the moment they begin to feel a bit “wobbly”.
So alarmed by the rise in young people dealing with serious mental health disorders, Ms Seri has advocated for a shake up of how society places value on wellbeing.
She said face-to-face connection has been replaced with a world of internet driven distraction resulting in “unhealthy” ways of dealing with stress that fester into a “lack of resilience”.
“I see kids in grade 7, grade 8 and parents quite literally in desperation reaching out for support,” Ms Seri said.
“I think what it comes down to is the connection they form with a person because you can have all the tools in the world but people need human connection, particularly in a time of crisis and disconnection.
“It’s scary because I see young people that have gone beyond self-harming, they’re suicidal.”
Ms Seri said she’s concerned that future generations are going to grow into adults struggling to cope and wanted to see schools make mental health education a priority focus, on par with academia.
She said early childhood was the most crucial for emotional development, and also the area with the biggest gap of care.
“It needs to be brought in on a level where it’s fun and engaging but if it’s just a tick the box subject,” Ms Seri said.
“I’m working at the moment with a kindergarten about a mental health program for 3 – 4 year olds because that’s where the gap is yet it’s where so many brain connections form.”
Focused on newborns – five year olds, Kids in Harmony uses music and play based education classes.
Director Kerry Spina said educators used positive psychology methods and “strength based language” to make their little students feel special.
“A very big part of it is educating the whole child so for me it’s about the physical, emotional and social relationship we build with them,”
“It’s a play based environment so we give them the freedom to learn and grow through the practice to give them that sense of identity and belonging.
“At school, at work, we’re all constantly assessed and evaluated but we’re not doing that because for us it’s about building relationships and teaching people to value being present.”
Originally published as Leading children psych calls for greater focus on toddler wellbeing