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CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH
Child development and mental health are closely interconnected. Whether at the newborn, infant, toddler, preschool or school-age stages of child development, experiences in early childhood have been known to significantly impact a child's emotional and psychological well-being and the scars can follow them throughout their lives.
Ensuring that childcare settings at all stages are nurturing, stable, and enriched can contribute positively to a child's mental health and overall development. Here’s how:
1. Attachment, Bonding and Stable Relationships: Secure attachments with caregivers provide a foundation for emotional stability and social competence. Responsive, consistent caregiving helps children develop trust and a sense of security.
2. Social and Emotional Skills: High-quality childcare environments promote the development of social skills, such as empathy, cooperation, and effective communication. These skills are crucial for mental health and successful relationships.
3. Stress Reduction and Resilience: Stressful or unstable childcare situations can negatively impact a child’s mental health. Conversely, supportive environments help children build resilience and coping skills.
4. Cognitive Development: Early stimulation and positive interactions in childcare settings enhance cognitive development, which is linked to self-esteem and emotional well-being.
5. Parental Involvement: Collaboration between childcare providers and parents can reinforce consistent care and support, benefiting the child’s mental health.
6. Screen Time and Physical Activity: Less screen time and more physical activity and play is important for mental health and overall development.
BENEFITS OF ENSURING BENEFICIAL CHILDCARE
Quality childcare is crucial for a child's emotional, social, and cognitive development. Positive early experiences in childcare can foster secure attachments, build social skills, and enhance self-regulation. Conversely, poor-quality care or stressful environments can contribute to emotional and behavioural issues. It ensures:
Stable Relationships: Consistent and caring relationships with caregivers help children feel secure and supported.
Early Learning Opportunities: Activities that promote language, problem-solving, and social skills support cognitive and emotional development.
Stress Reduction: Environments that minimise stress and provide emotional support contribute to better mental health outcomes.
Child development has a significant impact on mental health, both for children and caregivers. For children, high-quality childcare can enhance cognitive and social development, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. On the other hand, inadequate or stressful childcare environments can lead to developmental delays, behavioural issues, and mental health challenges.
For caregivers, managing childcare responsibilities while dealing with personal and professional stress can affect their mental health. Poor mental health in caregivers can, in turn, impact the quality of care they provide, creating a cycle of stress and negative outcomes for both parties.
MANAGING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AS A CAREGIVER
Coping with child development can be challenging, but here are some tips to help:
Create a routine: Establish a daily schedule for childcare, work, and personal activities to maintain balance.
Seek support: Build a network of family, friends, and fellow parents for emotional support and help when needed.
Prioritise self-care: Make time for activities that nourish your mind, body, and spirit, like exercise, hobbies, or meditation.
Stay organised: Use tools like calendars, to-do lists, or apps to manage childcare tasks, appointments, and developmental milestones.
Foster a positive environment: Encourage learning, exploration, and play to support healthy development.
Stay informed: Read books, articles, or online resources to stay updated on childcare and development best practices.
Take breaks: Allow yourself time to rest and recharge to avoid burnout.
Celebrate milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate your child's achievements and progress.
Seek professional help: Consult paediatricians, therapists, or counsellors if you need guidance or support.
Be patient and flexible: Embrace the challenges and joys of childcare and development, and adapt to changing circumstances.
Remember, every child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Trust your instincts, and don't hesitate to ask for help when needed.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Improve Quality of Childcare: Ensuring access to high-quality, affordable childcare with trained professionals can support children's development and reduce stress for families.
Support Families: The home is the immediate environment of every child. Parents are the foremost caregivers and should be supported by programs that make their lives easier so they can focus more on their childrens’ development instead of being absent because they are chasing money. Free Nursery, Primary and Secondary education, Free healthcare for all school children, Free transportation of school children on public transportation systems like trains and buses, free balanced feeding for all school children and many more government programs will lessen the financial burden on parents and give them more resources and time to ensure the holistic wellbeing of their children. Such programs also prevent depression which can lead to suicide because they remove anxiety from parents
Support for Caregivers: Providing resources such as counselling, stress management programs, and financial assistance can help caregivers manage their mental health and caregiving responsibilities.
Workplace Flexibility: Employers can offer flexible work schedules and parental leave to support a better work-life balance, reducing stress for working parents.
Early Intervention: Implementing programs that identify and address developmental or mental health issues early can prevent more severe problems later on.
Community Support: Building strong community networks and support systems can offer practical help and emotional support to both children and their caregivers.
Addressing these aspects can help create a more supportive environment for both children and those who care for them, promoting better mental health and developmental outcomes.
#TREASURE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH #
Habiba Bello Maishanu,
Focal Person Zamfara State,
Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation.
UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF MEMORIES
Memories act as a personal storage facility, capturing both joyful and terrible events throughout our life. These memories build our emotional landscape, determining how we feel and react to particular events. By focusing on pleasant memories, we can significantly enhance our mental health and control the consequences of mental health issues like despair and anxiety.
EMBRACING POSITIVE MEMORIES:
Positive memories, such as happy experiences with loved ones, joyous events, or relaxing vacations, are essential for fostering mental health. They provide comfort and a feeling of continuity, encouraging optimism and resilience. Here are some strategies to cultivate and profit from these positive memories:
● REFLECT ON JOYFUL MOMENTS :
Browse through photographs that capture happy times spent with family, friends, and cherished events. Revisiting these images can evoke positive emotions and reinforce a sense of well-being.
● FOCUS ON THE GOOD:
When thinking about people, choose to remember their positive traits and the pleasant experiences you shared. This shift in focus can improve your overall outlook and reduce feelings of negativity.
● USE MUSIC AS A TOOL:
Listen to songs that remind you of happy times. Music has the power to evoke strong emotional responses and reinforce positive memories.
● EXPRESS GRATITUDE:
Reach out to individuals who have positively impacted your life through an email or message. Expressing gratitude can strengthen your connections and enhance your emotional health.
● JOURNAL YOUR JOYS:
Keep a journal or digital record of moments that bring you happiness. Regularly documenting these experiences can help maintain a positive perspective.
ADDRESSING THE EFFECTS OF NEGATIVE MEMORIES:
Conversely, negative or traumatic memories can have a severe impact on mental health, potentially leading to disorders such as PTSD, sadness, and anxiety. Persistent attention to these upsetting memories might aggravate symptoms and impede recovery. It's important to recognise and manage these effects:
● SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP:
Engaging with a mental health professional can provide strategies for managing and processing traumatic memories. Therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, can help reframe negative thoughts and reduce their impact.
● PRACTICE MINDFULNESS AND RELAXATION:
Techniques such as mindfulness meditation can help manage intrusive thoughts and reduce the emotional intensity of negative memories.
THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN MENTAL ILLNESS AND MEMORY:
It's important to recognise that mental illness can also affect our memory. For instance, depression often leads to difficulties with concentration and memory recall, while anxiety and stress can impair cognitive function. Understanding this interplay can aid in developing comprehensive strategies for improving both mental health and memory.
CONCLUSION:
Recollections have a significant impact on our mental well-being by providing both chances for improvement and obstacles to overcome. We can promote emotional resilience and well-being by emphasising happy memories and getting help for painful ones. It is equally important to address how mental illness affects memory because doing so contributes to the development of a comprehensive strategy for mental health and recovery.
WHAT IS STRESS?
Stress is a common and normal physical response to challenging or new situations and can look and feel different for different people. It has both psychological and physical aspects and can be triggered by different life experiences depending on the situation at hand, it can also be external (from environment, psychological or social situations) or internal for example, serious illness.
Stress can lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, loss of appetite, increased blood pressure, chest pain, sexual dysfunction, and problems of sleeping. It can also cause or influence a broad range of physical health conditions such as heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome and mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety.
STRESS AND TRAUMA
Trauma is any event that involves exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence has the potential to be traumatic. The trauma experienced can be of a physical and/or mental nature and not everyone will respond in the same way.
The most commonly known trauma-related mental illness is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is a condition that can be diagnosed when fear, anxiety and memories of a traumatic event persist. Sometimes, the feelings may last for a long time and interfere with how they COPE with everyday life, and sometimes also it may have some of the symptoms of PTSD in the first few days after the event. Most will recover by themselves or with the support of family and friends, while others may need professional help because it may lead to traumatic injury and the survivors often suffer from physical, emotional, cognitive, and financial consequences that can affect their lives, their families, and society.
Trauma and mental illness
Experience of trauma can contribute to the development of many different forms of mental illness such as depressive and anxiety disorders, alcohol and substance use disorders, and self-harm and suicide-related behaviours.
HOW TO COPE WITH ANXIETY AND STRESS
If you're stressed, whether by your job or something more personal, the first step to feeling better is to identify the cause. It is said that problem well known is half way solved.
Most of victims feel like adopting some unhealthy habits like alcohol and smoking can help them cope, but such acts may add salt to injury also it may provide a short term relieve but at the end, its effects on health would be very worse.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
At COPE&LIVE Mental Health Awareness Foundation, we provide free services to help you manage your situation. We will still provide some of the keys to good stress management like; building emotional strength, being in control of your situation, having a good social network, and adopting a positive outlook. These may include the following:
1. Exercises
Exercise won't make your stress disappear, but it can reduce some of the emotional intensity that you're feeling, clearing your thoughts and letting you deal with your problems more calmly.
2. Get control of yourself
If you think you cannot do anything about your problem, your stress can get worse.
That feeling of loss of control is one of the main causes of stress and lack of wellbeing. The act of taking control is in itself empowering, and it's a crucial part of finding a solution that satisfies you and not someone else.
3. Try to connect with people
A good support network of colleagues, friends and family can ease your troubles and help you see things in a different way. The activities we do with positive friends can help us relax and relieve stress and may also help you find solutions to your problems.
4. Self-care is very important
Try to create time for yourself for you to refresh and spend enough time to do things we really enjoy and exchange courtesy with friends and relatives. It's important to take some time for socialising, relaxation or exercise.
5. Developing critical thinking.
Set goals that can accelerate your talent such as learning a new language or a new sport. This can help build confidence and deal with stress.
6. Avoid unhealthy habits
Try to avoid all unhealthy habits such as use of drugs, alcohol, smoking and caffeine as your ways of coping.
7. Try to be positive
Look for the positives in life, and things for which you're grateful. Try to be content with what you have and be grateful for being alive while other people you know were in the graves.
#treasureyourmentalhealth #problemsolving
Abubakar Magaji Yabo,
Northwest Director of Programs & Focal Person Sokoto State,
Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation.
EVERYBODY NEEDS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS...MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST UZOAMAKA
A child psychologist, counsellor/therapist and life coach Uzoamaka Nwachukwu of Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation has advocated the need for everyone to take responsibility by prioritising their mental health and to become self aware. She made this known on 8/8/2024 while speaking during a stakeholder virtual FREE engagement activity on mental health & wellness which was organised by Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation Resource Centre to strengthen awareness and deepen consciousness on the triggers to negative emotions, anxiety disorders and addictions as well as their negative consequences on persons and on the society.
According to Uzoamaka, who is a Certified Child Psychologist, a Certified Grief & Bereavement counsellor, a Certified Depression counsellor, a Certified Emotional Intelligence Life Coach and a Certified Mental Health & Wellness Life coach, "Everyone needs Mental Health awareness, education and interventions in order to cope and live for wholistic well-being and self actualisation because mental health state is not static but changes with events and can change many times in the day hence the need for emotional self-awareness”. She observed that people are more aware of physical health than mental health because physical health is what people can easily see whereas mental health state is unseen and revolves around mindsets and emotions but controls the physical. She used the occasion to advocate on strong policies to promote a framework for mental health awareness in order to bring the knowledge and awareness to people (self awareness).
She expressed happiness on what Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation has started doing such as the Free counselling engagement for widows, widowers, bereaved persons, elderly persons above 65 years, sports men and women, Free Antenatal and postpartum depression counselling, Free Counselling for the physically challenged and visually impaired persons amongst others in conjunction with Rangers international Foundation, CAPIONG, ASTRIC, INECAS etc.
Speaking Further, she maintained that all organisations and spheres of life ought to prioritise mental health awareness and education through the institutionalisation of counselling departments manned by certified mental health life coaches, therapists and psychologists to be able to handle such issues with their staff and other individuals so as to enhance their cognitive, emotional, intellectual and social capabilities for optimum performance, improved psychological well being and productivity.
Today in our society, people are faced with a whole lot of challenges and limitations and a large number seem to be overwhelmed hence the continued emergence and inevitability of some negative emotions, anxieties, depression and anxieties, traumas and its well being challenges like suicide and so on. Just as there are medical practitioners for our medical health challenges the existence of counselling units is equally or important because mental health is a form of health that needs urgent attention. Come and think of it, a Driver, Pilot, Doctor, Athlete, Footballer, Clergy, Nursing mother, Law enforcement agent, Child / Young person, Students, Parent, Teachers and other service providers in our society may have been overwhelmed by negative emotions and mental health challenges owing to some circumstances and factors at some point or the other. Everyone needs mental health awareness and intervention to enhance their cognitive, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and social care.
#treasureyourmentalhealth
ALCOHOL - UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES
Many people consume alcohol with the belief that it helps them relax. This effect is only temporary. Alcohol is a depressant that slows down the brain and Central Nervous System. Understanding this distinction, along with the health risks associated with excessive or frequent drinking, is essential for making informed choices about alcohol consumption.
ALCOHOL ABUSE:
It is the excessive and harmful consumption of alcohol that leads to negative consequences in various aspects of life, including health, relationships, and daily functioning. It often involves drinking in large quantities or drinking frequently, despite the awareness of its adverse effects. This pattern of behaviour can lead to physical dependence, psychological problems, and social issues.
In today's world, many people turn to alcohol as a way to cope with their problems, believing that drinking is a positive solution. However, this often leads to alcohol abuse. They overlook the fact that once the effects of the alcohol wear off, their problems remain unsolved and unchanged. The temporary escape that drinking provides does not address the root of their issues, leaving them still seeking real solutions.
ALCOHOL AS A STIMULANT:
When consumed, alcohol stimulates the release of dopamine in the brain, which can create an initial sense of euphoria, reduced inhibitions and increased energy. This temporary uplift may lead you to feel more sociable and confident. However, this effect is short-lived and can obscure the underlying issues that alcohol fails to address.
IMPAIRED JUDGMENT AND RISKY BEHAVIOR:
Alcohol lowers inhibitions and impairs judgment, which can lead to risky behaviour. Actions that may seem harmless under the influence of alcohol can result in significant consequences, such as impaired driving or dangerous social interactions. The stimulant effect reduces your ability to make sound decisions, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.
DISRUPTED SLEEP PATTERNS:
Although alcohol may help you fall asleep more quickly, it disrupts the sleep cycle, particularly REM sleep. REM sleep is crucial for mental and emotional restoration, and its disruption can lead to poor-quality sleep. As a result, you may feel unrested and irritable the following day.
HEALTH CHALLENGES:
● LIVER DAMAGE: Chronic excessive drinking places considerable strain on the liver, potentially leading to conditions such as fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Over time, this strain can compromise the liver’s ability to process alcohol, resulting in severe long-term damage.
● CARDIOVASCULAR ISSUES: Alcohol consumption can elevate heart rate and blood pressure, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke. The added stress on the cardiovascular system from frequent drinking can have serious and lasting effects on heart health.
● MENTAL HEALTH IMPACT: While alcohol might provide temporary relief from stress, it can exacerbate mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. The stimulant effects can mask these conditions, making them more difficult to address effectively.
● WEIGHT GAIN: Alcohol is high in empty calories, which can contribute to weight gain and obesity. It also disrupts metabolic processes, raising the risk of developing diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
● DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS: Regular alcohol consumption can irritate the digestive system, leading to issues such as gastritis, ulcers, and pancreatitis. Persistent irritation can cause significant discomfort and lead to chronic digestive problems.
THE RISKS:
● Addiction and Dependency
● Increased Risk of Chronic Diseases
● Social and Legal Consequences
● Cognitive Impairment
THE EFFECT OF ALCOHOL ON MENTAL HEALTH
1. MOOD DISORDERS:
Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows down brain activity and impairs emotional regulation. While it might initially make someone feel more relaxed or euphoric, these effects are temporary. Over time, alcohol use can worsen mood disorders like depression and anxiety. It disrupts the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to increased feelings of sadness and anxiety when not drinking.
2. RISK OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS:
Chronic alcohol abuse is associated with an increased risk of developing severe mental health disorders such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Alcohol can exacerbate these conditions, making symptoms more severe and challenging to manage.
3. COGNITIVE FUNCTION:
Long-term alcohol abuse can significantly impair cognitive functions such as memory, concentration, and decision-making. Regular drinking affects the brain's ability to process and retain information. Chronic use can lead to severe cognitive impairments, such as memory loss and difficulties with problem-solving, which may persist even after stopping alcohol consumption.
4. SLEEP PROBLEMS:
While alcohol might help some individuals fall asleep faster, it disrupts the quality of sleep. It interferes with the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage of sleep, which is crucial for mental restoration and emotional stability. Poor sleep quality due to alcohol can result in daytime fatigue, irritability, and a general decline in mental health.
5. STRESS AND ANXIETY:
Many people use alcohol as a way to manage stress, but this can have the opposite effect. Alcohol increases the production of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, leading to heightened stress and anxiety. This creates a cycle where individuals drink to alleviate stress but end up feeling more stressed as a result of their drinking.
CONCLUSION
Understanding that alcohol primarily acts as a depressant rather than a true relaxant helps clarify its effects and associated risks. The stimulating properties of alcohol, combined with the health challenges of excessive or frequent drinking, emphasise the importance of avoidance. Exploring healthier alternatives for relaxation and seeking support if needed can lead to better health outcomes and overall well-being.
Understanding the impact of alcohol on mental health is essential for making informed choices about its use. While alcohol may offer temporary relief from stress or emotional pain, it ultimately contributes to a range of mental health issues and fails to address underlying problems. Adopting healthier coping strategies, such as therapy, support groups, and lifestyle changes, can provide more effective solutions for managing mental health and overall well-being.
#Treasure Your Mental Health.
Fearless
The most powerful weapon you have in the world is your mind. What do you feed it with?
If you feed it with fear, which is an intense negative emotion, it will keeps you in bondage and hinder your prosperity.
It usually leads to other negative emotions like uncertainty, worry, anxiety, doubt, unbelief, and vice versa.
Common examples are the fear of making mistakes, fear of the unknown, death, failure, the future, acceptance in the society, new government policies, and losing a loved one or a relationship, to list but a few.
It is not unusual to experience fear which is commonly defined as an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain or harm when one is faced with such. In this case, it can keep us alert and make us avoid danger. However, fear can also be a trap, existing constantly in the mind even without the threat of danger, pain or harm.
Some may even be in bondage by the fear of leaving their comfort zone to explore something new even when they are convinced that they need a change of lifestyle, job, career, relationship, environment, position, school, subject and so on. This intense fear negatively affects their willingness and convictions to take risks in life.
Fear is a thing of the mind. If you allow it to win in your mind, then you are already a slave to it.
What if you fail? Learn from your mistakes and move on. The world won't end because you failed.
Living a fearful life is a mental suffering and bondage which can lead one into depression, high blood pressure, having suicidal thoughts, or even become suicidal.
You can overcome fear when you start to replace it with positive emotions such as faith, hope, optimism, love, compassion and so on while realising that entertaining fear actually has no effect on the outcome of any situation except to generate tension.
#Treasure Your Mental Health.
COPE And Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation Gets Focal Persons For Sokoto, Bayelsa States
A global Mental Health Awareness Group and Foundation known as Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation now have focal persons in charge of Bayelsa and Sokoto State.This was made known on 25/7/2024 by the Executive Director Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation ,Reverend Chukwudiebube Nwachukwu while briefing News men at the Cope and live mental health awareness foundation Resource Centre Independent layout Enugu on approach several approaches by the Foundation to deepen mental health awareness ,education as well as counselling across Nigerian Communities.
According to the Executive Director ,Abubakar Mgaji Yabo is now the Focal Person Cope and live mental Health Awareness Foundation Sokoto State Chapter Northwest Nigeria while Philip Perekebi Slaboh is the Focal person Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation For Bayelsa State.
Abubakar Magaji Yabo is exceptionally well organized and professional in governance and system strengthening with many years of experience in service delivery and accountability .Has served between 1st Febraury 2022 to January 2024 with Torchlight and Axxon International Neem Institute -State project coordinator (consultant) Serious and organized crime (SOC) PREVENT PROJECT Zamfara state amongst others while Philip Perekebi Slaboh is currently the Executive Director Sustainable Partnership Initiative For Development(SPID)-(Formerly known as Development Initiators) -A non governmental organization committed in promoting and encouraging peace building & conflict management ,youth development ,empowerment,,participatory development,advocate for good governance through community based and youth development activities /programmes and projects that is result oriented and aimed at improving the condition on the people amongst others .
The Executive Director Cope and live mental health awareness foundation however maintained that the foundation is deeply involved in making a remarkable impact in Nigeria Communities and Diaspora in the areas of Mental Health Awareness and Education ,Womens Health and Hygiene Advocacy,,Climate Action for improved mental General well being,Multi Sports activities and Counselling and noted that the foundation is working with a lots of organizations and meaningful individuals under its multi sectoral approach and cross sector Networks framewok to enhance mental health awareness amongst individuals and group of persons .We are also working in schools and colleges to ensure that our children and young persons understands what negative emotions do to our body and mental health ,we make them to identify their triggers and we make them also to understand how to manage their emotions so as to not to navigate to negative options of involvement into crime ,substance and drug abuse ,violent behaviours and other negative coping methods.He maintained that the foundation is currently running a FREE Mental health counselling at the Counselling Unit of the Resource Centre for Widows,Widowers,Elderly persons from 65 years and above as part of its measures towards deepening mental health awareness among people .
NEGLECT AND MENTAL HEALTH - A WOMAN’S STRUGGLE WITH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
A woman is a prayer warrior, a fighter, the embodiment of understanding and patience, a peacemaker, a cheerleader, and a backbone. She is the silent strength that holds the family together, the unsung hero who sacrifices her comfort for the well-being of others. As a wife, she is the partner who stands by her husband through thick and thin. As a mother, she is the nurturing force that shapes the future. A woman’s heart is vast, her resilience is boundless, and her love is unconditional.
THE JOURNEY OF MOTHERHOOD:
The cry of a baby is cherished in our society, while the mother's struggle to bring that life into the world is often inadvertently overlooked. Women experience unanticipated physical discomfort, swelling limbs, morning sickness, stress, interrupted sleep and sleepless nights for months while they are pregnant. They manage their homes and take care of their husbands while navigating uncomfortable situations and mood swings. The labour room can presents unique difficulties such as trauma, extreme labour pain, loss of blood, fear, and anxiety, tears and cuts, invasion and so on. Whether giving birth naturally or by caesarean section, it is a difficult procedure that leaves many women emotionally and physically traumatised.
THE SILENT STRUGGLE POST-DELIVERY
Following the birth, it is not unusual for all the attention she was used to getting while pregnant to suddenly be directed toward the infant, neglecting her and she notices and feels this. This new status quo hits her hard and leaves her in shock with memories flying randomly and negative emotions starting to grow in her. Even though she is still recovering from giving birth, she still has to endure seemingly endless restless nights caring for and nursing her baby. Physical and mental wounds from childbirth never fully heal. Her spouse, her biggest supporter and comforter frequently fails to affirm her efforts, which puts her at risk for postpartum depression.
THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF NEGLECT
Neglecting new mothers can have serious repercussions. Physically and emotionally, they struggle to adjust to their new duties. A lack of support can cause emotions of isolation, sadness, and resentment towards her husband, her baby and others. The link between husband and wife can get worse, harming the family's harmony. When the husband and family fail to provide adequate assistance, the mother feels neglected and alone. This emotional neglect might lower her self-esteem and limit her capacity to fully participate in her new position as a mother.
A CALL FOR CELEBRATION AND RESPECT
Our exceptional new mothers should not be overlooked, particularly by their husbands who is her rock, and by family and friends. They should stand by her side, honouring her sacrifices and encouraging her recovery, realising the enormous responsibility that motherhood is. Let us recognise our women more and honour their multiple responsibilities as moms and wives. They are our life' hidden heroines, and they should be cherished every day.
CONCLUSION
A woman's inner strengths and selflessness are profoundly demonstrated by her role as a mother. She should not be neglected after experiencing the ordeal of childbirth because her emotional wounds may become more amplified as a result of her husband’s and family's lack of appreciation, making her feel alone and unappreciated. A woman must be respected and loved, her challenges must be acknowledged, and we must provide constant support. Only then can we genuinely honour a woman. By doing this, we support her and fortify the foundation of our families for a greater society.
Mental Health Is Key to Effective Living and service delivery...Rangers Intl FC Foundation Chairman
The effects and negative consequences of negative emotions on the mindset and society especially on students was what featured prominently during a security awareness summit held at NASS Hall of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education Owerri on 16th July,2024 with the theme: Empowering student for safer tomorrow, organised by the Student Union Government of the university.
Speaking during the event, the chairman Rangers international Football Club Foundation, Coach Ebere Amaraizu applauded the organisers on carefully choosing mental health as a topic for discussion and maintained that no one irrespective of whom he is in the society and job he does, can perform optimally if he or she is not mentally healthy. Mental healthiness is key because healthiness of the mind is important to coordinate the body. It is important here to state that we should all prioritise issues concerning our mental health because negative emotions take us to negative options and negative coping methods such as journey to crime, substance and drug addictions, violent behaviours, suicide and amongst others. “At Rangers Intl FC Foundation, we are collaborating with Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation to bring mental health awareness and education to our various communities just as we are here today”, he continued. Amaraizu who also is an expert in multi sports activities stressed the need for more student’s involvement in learning positive coping skills and multi sports activities to cushion the effects of negative emotions on them thereby stabilising their cognitive, affective and psychomotor abilities. He revealed that Rangers Intl Football Club Foundation is on strong Coalitions with Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation towards the provision of free mental health Awareness/ Education with free mental health counselling to students of tertiary institutions within South Eastern states and the entire country at large as one of the cardinal areas of Rangers international Football Club Foundation, the first football club foundation in Nigeria with huge emphasis towards reconnecting nature to mankind.
Also speaking during the event, the executive director Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation, Reverend Chukwudiebube Nwachukwu maintained that mental health awareness is supposed to be embraced by all and sundry and pointed out that anyone who is not mentally healthy is a danger to himself, friends, family or any organisation and school that he or she belongs to. He explained that a lot of factors can cause mental health issue such as anger, fear, hardship, relationship, business, academic failures, overthinking, anxiety amongst others. These could trigger negative emotions and mood swings which in turn affect mental health. He further maintained that no doubt, average Nigerian student are either physically, socially, economically and academically stressed hence the need for stress management for a greater society. He used the occasion to call for integration of mental health in the school curriculum which will cover Mental health awareness as well as its signs, symptoms, response and management. He added that in order to escalate mental health awareness / education in schools and colleges, Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation and partners have come up an initiative called S2S initiative which is aimed at empowering students on how to live and manage stress, exposing them to multi sports activities and the need for a National security framework that will help for identification of mental health issues in our tertiary institutions as a National security priority and which can be addressed through policies and guidelines that prioritise sports development in our schools.
Reacting, the student union government president of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri Emmanuel Osuji thanked various speakers and maintained that mental health is key while describing the engagement as worthwhile and with great impact on students.
Also present during the event was the focal person Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation at Imo State, comrade Kennedy Onwunali, students, various students’ leaders and other invited guests and special guests amongst others.
PROCRASTINATION
PROCRASTINATION
The swift current of time, hmmm,
Time is constant,
Time is time,
Only God can change time,
Time is a force beyond our control,
Time slips away through our fingers like sand in the wind,
Don’t procrastinate, make use of the time, treasure your mental health, get yourself engaged in sporting activities to keep your mental health intact,
Talk to a counsellor, don’t die in silence, say no to depression, say to mental distress, anxiety and suicide.
Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation - Treasure your mental health
Keep a positive and resilient mindset.
MENTAL HEALTH AND INFIDELITY: THE HIDDEN SCARS OF BETRAYAL BY A WIFE
We have all experienced betrayal in one way or another. When we start to share our stories or scenarios, we often become emotional and tear up because we recall the pains we felt. Sometimes, when betrayal comes from our own family members, we tend to accept it as a normal part of life. However, this acceptance comes at a cost, as it affects our mental well-being and shapes our perspective on life, often without us even realising it.
When it comes to infidelity, society frequently casts the finger at men, while women receive less scrutiny. However, many married women commit infidelity, which is frequently concealed by societal biases that provide them with additional cover. This mismatch means that female infidelity is usually underestimated, leading to misunderstandings concerning the true scale of the problem.
UNDERSTANDING BETRAYAL AND INFIDELITY
Betrayal: A profound breach of trust that causes deep emotional pain.
Infidelity: The act of being unfaithful in a committed relationship, breaking the bond of trust.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF BETRAYAL
When a wife and mother commits infidelity, the emotional consequences on her family are severe. The husband, taken aback by the betrayal, experiences a severe loss of trust and self-esteem. This emotional suffering can show as rage, grief and a profound sense of inadequacy. Even when forgiveness is extended, the experience often leaves an invisible scar, making it difficult to reestablish intimacy and trust.
The wife, weighed down by guilt and regret, struggles with her identity and self-esteem. She may experience depression and anxiety, feeling she has failed in her roles as both wife and mother. The realisation of her actions leads to a profound sense of failure and self-loathing.
Children who witness their parents' emotional dispute may develop feelings of insecurity, confusion, and mistrust, leading them to question the stability of their relationships and harbour doubts about fidelity and love. This experience can shape their future relationships, making them wary of commitment and vulnerable to emotional instability.
REASONS FOR INFIDELITY
Women may cheat for various reasons, including:
● Emotional Neglect
● Opportunity
● Association with bad friends and negative influences
● Lack of contentment
● The lies and falsehood of social media
● Dissatisfaction
● Human vulnerability
● Seeking Validation
● Feeling Undervalued
● Desire for Excitement and Adventure
SOLUTION TO DISCOURAGE INFIDELITY:
To avoid the devastating effects of infidelity, couples should prioritise open and honest communication. Here are some other steps to help prevent infidelity:
● Seek Counselling: Professional help can provide tools and strategies to navigate relationship challenges effectively.
● Express Appreciation: Regularly acknowledge and appreciate each other's efforts and contributions.
● Foster Intimacy: Create opportunities for emotional and physical closeness, ensuring that both partners feel connected and valued.
● Address Dissatisfaction: Discuss feelings of unhappiness or dissatisfaction openly and work together to find solutions.
● Prioritise the Relationship: Make time for each other, nurturing the bond and intimacy that forms the foundation of a strong marriage.
● Think about the consequences of your actions on you, your family, your friends and your circle.
CONCLUSION:
Recognising the shared human vulnerabilities that lead to infidelity can create a more compassionate and effective approach to healing and prevention. Infidelity, especially when it comes from a wife and mother, leaves deep scars on a family, affecting every member in profound ways. Couples can work towards building a stronger and more resilient relationship, preventing the devastating effects of infidelity.
TOUGH TIMES AND MENTAL HEALTH
This popular statement drawn from a famous musician known as Billie Ocean lays credence to the importance of resilience and a resilient mindset. It is not the wish of any person to fail as everyone wants to be successful their endeavours but there are procedures and steps to follow in order to achieve this. Some of those procedures and steps include strategic planning, hard work, discipline, determination, dedication and a resilient mindset which encourage the spirit of endurance.
You may have a strategic plan of action but meet challenging situations in the course of its implementation which make you to capitulate. A great football team at one or many goals down is the one that works till the end of the game in order to make reducing the goal tally or even win (fight to finish). This is a clear description of resilience.
Remember that living fish swim against the current. Dead fish flow with the current.
A resilient mindset makes you to be courageous and to conquer fears and worries. After all, a champion is someone who chooses discipline over excuses.
People give up because of the following factors: People want quick outcomes, People care about what other people think about them, Lack of discipline, Plans not well prepared in line with SMART principles of specific, measurable, achievable, realistic goals and with good timing and finally, alack of belief in themselves.
It takes a resilient mindset to stay focused with a vision and that's the spirit of “Never Say Die”. We should learn not to allow our challenging limitations prevent us from achieving our dreams. Learn to manage your emotions and be mentally and emotionally strong and always remember that when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
BETRAYAL AND MENTAL HEALTH
Betrayal is a wound that never heals. It leaves a scar that reminds you of a pain inflicted by someone you trusted. Just one experience of betrayal can cause negative emotions and mental health issues for the one who was betrayed. It could also motive offending as the victim may try to cash in on any available opportunity to address the worries and anger that follow the incident of betrayal. The negative consequences of betrayal on both the one that betrayed and the victim of betrayal cannot be overemphasised and include: perpetual rancour / acrimony, mental health sicknesses, loss of life, loss of trust leading to unfriendly relationship and existence, increase in high blood pressure, fear, anxiety and a host of other negative emotions and outcomes.
Betrayal is pain arising from broken trust due to high expectations from others. To lessen this effect, lessen your expectations from others, Don’t betray others because you reap what you sow, Learn to forgive for your own sanity, mental wellbeing and overall health.
BETWEEN FEAR AND MENTAL HEALTH
Fear is one of the greatest enemies of man. It causes confusion and anxiety which also trigger negative emotions, leaving one with indecision and unsuccessful ventures because one tends to give up easily. It fosters negative mental dispositions and can predispose one to premature death.
Courage, on the other hand gives one the ability to overcome and conquer at all times despite one’s challenges and limitations. It leads to peace of mind as it makes one move forward in the face of fear or worry.
While fear is a reaction, courage is a decision.
What are your fears and worries today? Try to identify and name them. It will enable you to learn how to manage them and to emerge courageous.
Never give up today because some days may be longer and other days shorter. There is always light at the end of any tunnel. There is no situation that cannot be overcome so keep your head high and remain focused always.
EMBRACING POSITIVE EMOTIONS
When we embrace positive emotions like contentment, optimism, joy and love, we will cease to see obstacles as unbeatable and even refuse to quit early when faced with challenges in any of our life endeavors. We will then see obstacles as opportunities to learn and grow for a greater society.
Treasure your mental health.
EFFECTS OF BAD PARENTING ON CHILD MENTAL HEALTH
An African adage used to have it that, "every child is everybody's child”. This adage was the basis for everybody's participation in the supervision and guidance of any child. Because of this, a child was always afraid to engage in any form of societal misconduct as the punitive measures could be implemented from any place and would often go as far as getting the child parents involved resulting in further consequences.
Within that time, say a period spanning up to the late 80’s, parents were seen in the fully involved in the guidance, support and supervision of their children with keen efforts towards ensuring that they are brought up in line with values, morals, standard and discipline. To a reasonable extent, remarkable achievements were made to the extent that integrity, honesty, resilient spirit and hard work were the order of the day as recognitions, importance and emphasis were laid on families with values and good moral upbringing of children. Unfortunately, many societal misconducts that were tabooed then are now points of celebration and recognition hence ‘’centres are no longer holding’’.
The fact is that major factors to the causes of deviant and truant behaviours in our children are often not considered till things go wrong. The home is the immediate environment of any child and is pivotal to any child’s development and growth. A child learns virtually everything primarily from the home.
This brings the issue of parenting to the front burner. What was parenting like then and what is it like now? Are there any changes in patterns and processes of raising children? Why the sudden deviation and development. Parenting has always been and should still be a serious business and plays a crucial role in child development and general well-being but in the 21st century, it has remained a challenge due to a myriad of pressures be they natural, social, man-made, environmental, religious amongst others. Parenting, like every other business endeavour ought to be undertaken by those who are passionate about child upbringing with right frame of mind, mentality and discipline. When parents don't play their child-development role effectively, there is always a responsibility gap which creates room for some behaviours which will be counterproductive to the effective implementation of our goals. Parental hypocrisy, ignorance, moral bankruptcy, relationship issues / failures, lack of discipline, commitment and dedication, and so on are all factors that pose challenges and limitations to parents in the upbringing of their children in our contemporary society.
A strong relationship between parents and their children sets the foundation for the child’s emotional, social and cognitive development. Good parenting involves providing nurture, support and guidance to help children develop into confident and independent individuals.
Family system and parenting in our present-day society have been faced with severe challenges such as relationship break-ups, marriage failures (dysfunctional families), single parent pressures, death of partner, lack of credible parent-support programmes that aid parental responsibility such as child welfare programmes like health, education, free transportations, free education and other empowerment programmes. These challenges usually leave children vulnerable and leave parents struggling for survival and existence while also carrying out these relevant tasks for their children resulting in various emotional and mental health challenges due to fear and anxiety, anger and overthinking. Some parents without a resilient mindset may become vulnerable and navigate to negative options and pathways to survive. Since the future of any society is predicated on the children there must be an enabling framework to aid parenting for them not to misstep.
The vulnerable parent with negative emotions and mental health issues, instead of being a good parent will rather be a conduit for negative parenting which in turns impacts the child’s overall well-being negatively leading them to develop behavioural problems, low self-esteem, emotional problems, substance and drug abuse use, lack of trust, inability to form healthy relationships and truant / delinquent behaviours. Bad parenting occasioned by negative emotions casts a long shadow over a child’s emotional and psychological wellbeing. The point here is that the mental health of children is dependent on the mental health of parents. If the mental health of parents is not in good shape, the child will suffer it more and will become a serious challenge to the society. Let’s join hands to together to achieve a society devoid of mental health challenges and with negative emotions.
Treasure your mental health.
General signs and symptoms of mental health disorders
MENSTRUAL HEALTH AND HYGIENE
Menstrual Hygiene is key in promoting good health in girls and women and it simply means the use of clean menstrual management material to absorb menstrual blood. Menstruation known as "Period" occurs when an egg attached to the wall of the uterus is not fertilised by sperm so the uterus lining breaks down and bleeds causing a period and this occurs between 2 to 7 days.
Good menstrual hygiene promotes girls’ and womens’ dignity, privacy, body integrity and self worth while poor menstrual hygiene poses serious health risks like reproductive and urinary tract infection, infections like hepatitis B which can lead to infertility and birth complications, body odour, discomfort, psychological stress, shame and sometimes depression especially because of the stigma that comes with poor management of menstruation.
Here are some menstrual hygiene practices one can adopt during menstruation:
1. Wear light underwear preferably cotton.
2. Change menstrual products every few hours and more frequently for heavy flows and dispose of used products properly.
3. Keep private area clean.
4. Drink enough liquids to reduce headache and dizziness because of loss of blood and iron.
5. Keep records and monitor your period cycle to avoid embarrassment.
6. Use unscented toilet paper, tampon or pads.
7. Take your bath at least twice daily during your period.
8. Wash your hands after each change of menstrual products.
9. During your period, avoid diets high in sugar, spicy food and caffeine etc rather eat foods rich in Iron, Omega 3, vitamins & minerals etc.
10. Watch out for mood swings to avoid frustration.