Session 4: A global view of children’s mental health and wellbeing

Introduction

Children’s mental health is a global issue. Wherever children live in the world, there are factors and influences within their society that impact on their mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 is an example of an event that has impacted on the physical and mental health of children and their families around the world. As you explored in Session 1, the systems around the child have a profound impact on their wellbeing and, in turn, this impacts on their mental health – for good or bad. For instance, the effects of war, conflict and the influence of economic factors mean that migration of people from country to country is an ongoing issue; without resolutions to the conflicts that are causing people to be displaced from their homes, this is likely to continue. The migration of people is often reported in the media; however, the impact of migration on children is under-reported.

In this session, you will examine children’s wellbeing and mental health from a global perspective.

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Transcript: Audio 1

JACKIE MUSGRAVE

We live in a global world, and the effects of geography, politics, and how children are viewed in society are all factors that can impact on children's mental health. This week, you'll look at different childhoods from countries around the world. We include case studies of children living on the streets in India, and in some African countries, and the experience of child soldiers in war-torn countries.

We include examples of refugee children and how they are affected by losing their homes and families as a result of war and civil unrest. You will also explore the experience of child labourers. In week one, we looked at the effect that the Second World War had on young children as a result of being separated from their families. This is still happening.

The content of this week is harrowing, and will be difficult to watch. In particular, the content that relates to child migrants who are being separated from their families and kept in cages in Texas is difficult to watch. These upsetting practices are wrong and breach children's rights as laid out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

We all have a responsibility to improve all children's lives. The content of this week examines some of the global initiatives that are being aimed at improving children's lives, and in turn their mental health. This week's quiz will contribute to your badge. Enjoy week four.

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By the end of this session, you will be able to:

• form an overview of the impact of a country’s geography and politics on children’s wellbeing
• explore social, economic and cultural influences on children’s wellbeing and mental health
• appreciate some of the effects of migration on children’s wellbeing and mental health
• re-examine the role of resilience in helping children cope with difficult, dangerous and traumatic circumstances.