World Mental Health Day is observed every year globally on October 10. The day aims to raise awareness on mental health issues and also provide support for people with mental health issues. World Mental Health Day was first observed on October 10, 1992, and was initiated by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH).

The United Nations, World Health Organization (WHO) and various mental health organisations across the world support this observance. Over the years, World Mental Health Day has become a day to address mental health stigma and improve mental health care access globally.

Screens have become an integral part of everyone’s lives. However, it is important to limit screen time as it can impact one’s mental health and this stands true for children as well.

Mimansa Singh Tanwar, Clinical Psychologist and Head School Mental Health Program at Fortis National Mental Health Program shares how increased screen time can impact a child’s mental health.

Recent research has shown that increases in screen time usage in children have reduced direct parent-child interactions and have been showing an effect on their cognitive, language and social-emotional development.

It also has psychological effects leading to higher distractibility, poor self and emotional control. It also increases the likelihood of physical health-related concerns, disturbed sleep patterns and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.

Tanwar says, “Given the pervasive presence of screens in their lives, it is extremely critical to take preventive steps by instilling key life skills in children.”

While children are going to use screens, they should be stimulated with other activities like reading, art, music and other extracurriculars.

Some form of sports and outdoor games must be inculcated in them as they learn important life skills from playing. These significant aspects that have always been part of our childhood, need to be maintained for children in today’s time as they play a significant role in building resilience and emotional well-being.

Set clear limits and boundaries on when and how much screen can be used for example no screen an hour before bedtime or during study time. Discuss age-appropriate reasonable consequences for poor adherence to these expectations.

Given they will be exposed to various forms of content, parents and schools should focus on instilling media literacy skills to filter the right information and understand the influence it can have on their choices, lifestyle and belief systems.

Parents should maintain regular one-on-one time with children as that fosters emotional growth. Children need a non-judgmental open space that allows them to unload their worries and day-to-day challenges. There cannot be a substitute for what a healthy parent-child interaction can nurture in children from empathy, perspective-taking, problem-solving solving and positive self-esteem.

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