Young people in South Africa face many mental health issues such as inequality, unemployment, rampant crime, violence and the social and economic implications of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, an article published about mental health in South Africa reported.
“Mental health, career planning, examination strategies, and self-identity are issues we need to discuss with our children regularly. Life has become far more complicated and, in addition to the stress we experience as a country, the increasing prevalence of social media in our children’s lives and a huge emphasis on getting good school results, our children need informed and empathetic counselling,” Nkazimulo Zitha says.
These societal issues can be crippling for any child to deal with, but counselling is one way of helping them thrive and succeed academically and mentally.
“Holistically, scholar support has become increasingly important and necessary for teachers, guardians, and parents to support their children’s academic development,” explains Zitha, Head of School Achievement at SPARK Schools.
Zitha says counselling provides children with skills and coping methods to manage their emotions and navigate stressful situations – like exams, anxiety, and identity. “Counselling – whether from parents or professionals – promotes self-esteem and self-confidence and can improve social skills. It also helps our children transition through the various stages of growing up,” she says.
“Children who receive proper counselling thrive academically because they feel safe and heard and do not have to spend energy on issues that affect their functioning,” she says.
Zitha says the best advice for parents who want to counsel their children starts with offering them a safe space to talk. Then, listening and asking questions rather than passing judgment will help them to learn problem-solving skills and to set realistic life and academic goals.
“For parents who think their children need more help than what they are able to give, there are many resources. Parents can speak to teachers directly or take their children to a professional counsellor,” she says.
Professional counselling might be needed when your child:
- Has anxiety and depression?
- Has an unexplained loss of appetite, insomnia, or excessive sleeping?
- Shows significant mood changes.
- Has an eating disorder or body image concerns?
- Abuses alcohol or drugs
- Cannot make a decision about his/her career.
- Wants to leave school or fears failure at school.
- Has self-harm or suicidal thoughts?
“There are many professional services available for parents and their children. School counsellors can help with references or parents can speak to their personal doctor for a reference. What is vital is that parents and teachers identify these issues and act on them quickly before they become bigger problems,” Zitha says.
