Supervisor at the Center for Social Work in Zubin Potok, psychologist and family psychotherapist, Simona Đurović, indicates that it is important for parents to pay attention to any drastic change in the behavior and personality of their children, as this can be a warning sign. According to her, an open conversation with children can help parents recognize potential problems that children face in time.
Đurović warns that violence and conflicts in the family have a long-term negative impact on children's mental health. According to her, such situations can cause anxiety, depression, a tendency to self-harm, and even a halt in the child's cognitive development. However, he emphasizes that it is possible to amortize these consequences.
"We just need to end it (violence) as soon as possible and start working on recovery," says Đurović.
Speaking about parents' attitude towards seeking professional help, Đurović notes progress, but indicates that some parents are still reserved. He points out that it is important for parents to recognize their prejudices and face them, stressing that those who seek help for their children are not weak, but quite the opposite.
"I think that parents should first become aware of their personal prejudices." To first face what kind of myths they have. It is most common that if they take the child to a psychologist, it will be some kind of confirmation that they have failed as parents, that they are weak, powerless, that they cannot cope with something. I immediately demystify it in a way - that those who ask for help are, in fact, the strongest."
She advises parents to be active in talking to their children and allow them to express their feelings, including sadness.
"In our culture, parents want to calm the child as soon as possible, if he is sad, they console him so that he does not cry. I call it 'emotional ban'. It's as if the child is forbidden to be sad, and sadness is, in fact, a healthy emotion."
At the same time, this psychologist reminds parents that they are crucial in the formation of their children's personalities, and reiterates that it is important to take the time to talk with them.
"You are the most important figure in a child's life, you are someone who shapes his behavior, you are the one who conveys messages." Everything that child should or should not be tomorrow, he will learn through you. You have to find the time, because your responsibility is much greater than any other adult with whom the child comes in contact."
When it comes to the role of psychotherapists, Đurović points out that they are not there to solve problems instead of children, but to provide them with support and help them solve their challenges independently.
"The psychotherapist is a kind of guiding star, a kind of support, which can help him compensate for some things that were missed in early childhood, in such a way that he directs the child to regain trust in himself and in others," says psychologist Simona Đurović.
How modern factors, such as social networks, affect the mental health of children and young people; how to deal with the pressures and expectations that society places on young people; what is the role of school systems in promoting mental health among young people; how young people can develop emotional resilience and self-confidence in the modern world are just some of the questions answered by psychologist Simona Đurović.
More about it in the audio attachment.
The show was realized as part of the program "Reducing the Impact of Emergency Situations on Children and Parents/Guardians", implemented by Domovik and supported by Save the Children.
One of the partners of this program within which the campaign is implemented "Throw a high five instead of a hate!", is and Radio Contact Plus.
The views expressed are the opinions of the interlocutors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Domovik and Save the Children.
