PSYCHOLOGY FOR EDUCATORS 1B
PSED5112
ASSIGNMENT 2
QUESTION 1
Q.1.1)
, This essay will explore the central idea around mental wellbeing with reference to children
in our world today. Mental wellbeing has become one of the most important factors to
focus on when understanding one’s overall wellbeing. Ellis (2022), defines mental wellbeing
as how healthy your brain is. The rest of your overall self, such as your emotions, behavior
as well as the manner in which you carry yourself, are all affected by how good or bad your
mental health is. Such can often be witnessed in children. Unfortunately, not many people
realize that mental health is to be treated from a young age, we watch children behave a
certain way but too often, it does not cross the mind that it could be caused by poor mental
health.
To elaborate on the above, having a good mental health means that an individual is able to
live and think with clarity. Is able to receive information efficiently and effectively and can
openly express their emotions without the fear of feeling judged. In our current society, it is
crucial that children are educated about the importance of maintaining a good mental
health. Such should be reinforced in both schools and in homes. According to Ellis (2022), in
order to maintain good mental health in children, a safe space must be created in which
they may talk about their feelings, give them the freedom to play freely and they should
learn to be helpful and kind beings as it increases self-esteem and lowers theirs chances of
having low mental health.
Peterson (2022), describes mental wellbeing as the manner in which we react or
acknowledge the good and bad times in our lives. He also represents five main factors that
make up our mental wellbeing, namely: our self-acceptance, being conscious of our
strengths and weakness, building healthy relationships, being resilient and staying true to
one’s values. Children should be introduced to these five factors at a younger age. Since
mental is something that can be built on, starting at a young age improves children’s ability
to master it as they get older.
Additionally, we must consider the risk factors. What causes poor mental health in children.
For parents and teachers, it is sometimes easier to understand the concept of mental health
itself, but not really thinking deeper to figuring out its risk factors. Psychological studies
have found that low income and parent education may increase a child’s risk of having poor
mental health. Such as with Jessica from the scenario, her mother is dependent on
unemployment benefits of which is not enough to provide proper care for Jessica. Living in a
small one-bedroom apartment gives Jessica the understanding that she and her mother are
not financially stable. Jessica is at great risk of having a poor mental health at such a young
age.
Then again, there are other major risk factors for children that are so often dismissed such
as; being homeless and unemployed, surrounded by adults that abuse alcohol and drugs,
racial injustice or discrimination and conflicts between family. When children are exposed to
these factors repeatedly, it is expected that they may not take it too well, this may lead to
poor mental health of which could lead to further challenges such as misbehaving in the
classroom, bullying other children, stealing, lying and being disobedient. It is important to
remember that bad behavior in children is always justified. Children do not just behave
badly because they want to, it could either be an issue they are facing at home, or in some
