The Outreach activities was sponsored by UNICEF and took place in Montserrado and Margibi Counties.
Lutheran Church in Liberia- Trauma Healing and Reconciliation Program Media Assistant, Arthur F. Beare has underscored the significance of Children mental Health protection and care.
Speaking on the Topic: “Children Mental Health” Arthur Beare mentioned that Psychosocial child mental health refers to the interplay between a child’s psychological development particularly children’s thoughts, feelings, behavior, and mental well-being.
Mr. Beare also noted that Social environment which include Family, peers, school, community, and culture remain a critical factor in examining how these factors influence a child’s ability to cope with stress, form relationships, and function effectively.
Key components of Psychosocial Factors:
Psychosocial factors can be both risk factors (increasing the likelihood of mental health problems) and protective factors( promoting resilience and positive mental health).
He named Risk Factors as:
Areas: Examples
- Family/ Caregiving—————Abuse, neglect, parental mental illness,substance abuse in home,domestic violence, harsh parenting styles, family conflict, divorce.
- Social/ Environmental————Poverty, housing instability, community violence, discremination, lock of social support, exposure to traumatic events.
- School/ peer——————— Bulying( being a victim or perpetrator), academic stress, poor teacher-student relationships, social exclusion.
- Individual——————— Chronic physical illness, low self-esteen, poor emotional regulation skills, history of trauma
LCL-THRP Media Assistant indicated that Psychosocial difficulties often manifest as emotional or behavioral problems, which, if persistent and severe, can lead to diagnosable mental health conditions:
He added that internalizing problems meaning Difficulties directed inward, such as anxiety disorders (Separation anxiety, generalized anxiety and depressive disorders ( Persistent sadness, loss of interest.
Externalizing Problems: Difficulties directed outward such as Attention – Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder ( ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder ( ODD), and Conduct Disorder ( aggression, rule- breaking).
Stress and Truama- Related Issues ( PTSD
Interventions and Support
Psychosocial interventions aim to enhance a child’s psychological and social well-being by addressing the emotional, behavioral, and environmental factors influencing their mental health.
Evidence- Based Psychotherapies
- Cognitive – Behavioral Therapy ( CBT): Helps Children identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors , effective for anxiety and depression.
- Berhavior therapy/ Parent Training in Behavior Management
- Trauma – Focused CBT
- Play Therapy- uses play for young children to express feelings and work through problems
- Family Based interventions- Programs focused on improving family communication, conflict resolution and overall family functioning.
LCL-THRP psychosocial support training manual (2022
