Mental health issues with kids are on the rise

 This is a difficult time to be raising children, and many experts are now saying we have created an unrealistic environment for our children. Academic Pressure, Electronic Devices, Cyber Bullying, Stress, Worry, Anxiety and Insomnia are just a few of the alarming words that are now commonplace in our children’s lives.

Mental health issues with kids are on the rise.

Unfortunately, as we speak depression rates are on the increase, suicide rates are also going up and kids are starting to suffer from anxiety and depression at a younger and younger age. Just a few decades ago the average onset age of depression was 29.5 years old. Today it is almost exactly half that: 14.5 years old.

What do the facts say?

• Kids' are starting to suffer from anxiety at a younger and younger age. 50 per cent of mental health conditions now emerges between the age of 4 and 14.

• One in seven, 14% of children and adolescents aged 4-17 years experienced a mental health disorder in any given year, which is equivalent to an estimated 560,000 Australian children and adolescents.

• The number of deaths by suicide in young Australians is the highest it has been in 10 years

Focus on younger people is now vital to intervene and create positive habits as early as possible.

Unfortunately, only one out of every four young persons with mental health problems receives professional health care. Even among young people with the most severe mental health problems, only 50 per cent receive professional help. Parents reported that help was too expensive, they didn’t know where to get it, or they felt there was a stigma attached to seeing a Child Psychologist or Psychiatrist.

So how can we improve our children's Happiness?

In the last few years Mindfulness and Meditation have emerged as an effective ways to teach children resilience, awareness and self-belief and, how to manage their own Mental Health, Happiness and a range of Emotional Challenges in their day to day lives.

Helping children relax and focus better so that they can concentrate and memorise more effectively at school, as well as still their minds and breathe correctly to assist with sleep, worry and unhelpful thoughts, leading to a happier state of mind and a feeling of more content with life.

So, why Mindfulness and Meditation?

• Research finds that mindfulness practice decreases stress and anxiety, increases attention, improves interpersonal relationships, strengthens compassion and happiness. Read more

• Meditation is not just for adults. Children and adolescents also benefit. Research shows that meditation in the classroom helps students become more focused, calm, quiet, settled and rested by providing them with an opportunity to learn how to relax and reflect. Read more

• Be prepared, meditation actually changes the brain. Meditation doesn't just help kids feel relaxed; neuroscience suggests that it actually changes the structure and function of the brain. Read more

• A mindfulness and meditation practice for children does not require any sophisticated equipment. It requires only a little commitment from parents and teachers to encourage kids at least 10 minutes every day. Read more

MY PEACEFUL UNIVERSE, Mindfulness and Meditation for Kids 

Would you like to help children build resilience and learn how to manage their own mental health, happiness and emotional well-being? Be a part of a global shift and teach Mindfulness and Meditation to children. Here's how.