Chidera Uzolwulu
A child who suddenly becomes withdrawn is often described as “stubborn.” A teenager whose academic performance begins to decline may simply be labelled “lazy” or “careless.” Yet behind these assumptions may lie silent struggles that are desperately calling for understanding rather than punishment.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in seven adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 experiences a mental health condition, yet many of these conditions remain undiagnosed and untreated. These conditions account for a significant proportion of illness among young people and, when left unaddressed, can affect education, relationships, physical health, and future opportunities. Mental health is not an adult issue alone. It is a reality for many children and adolescents.
In Nigeria, conversations about children’s mental health remain limited. Emotional distress is often dismissed as a passing phase, indiscipline, spiritual weakness, or a lack of resilience. Consequently, many children continue to suffer in silence while the signs of their struggles are misunderstood or ignored.
One of the most concerning responses occurs within some schools. When a child begins to display behavioural challenges, repeated aggression, substance use, emotional instability, or a sudden decline in academic performance, the immediate response is sometimes suspension or expulsion. While schools have a responsibility to maintain discipline and ensure the safety of every student, expelling a child without first seeking to understand the underlying cause of the behaviour may only deepen the problem.
Schools should not merely be centres of academic learning. They should also be places of healing, restoration, and hope. Every educational institution should establish clear pathways for identifying students in emotional distress, engaging parents or guardians, providing access to counselling where available, and referring students for appropriate professional support when necessary. Discipline and compassion should work together. A child should not lose access to education simply because they are silently battling challenges they do not yet know how to express.
Children rarely say, “I am struggling with my mental health.” Instead, they communicate through changes in behaviour. A child who suddenly withdraws from friends, loses interest in activities they once enjoyed, struggles to concentrate, experiences frequent mood swings, performs poorly in school, has noticeable changes in sleeping or eating habits, or repeatedly complains of unexplained headaches or stomach aches may be signalling emotional distress.
These warning signs should never be ignored or dismissed as attention-seeking behaviour. Early recognition and timely intervention can significantly improve outcomes and help children develop healthy coping skills before problems become more severe.
Beyond recognising warning signs, prevention must become part of everyday parenting, teaching, and community life. Children thrive when they grow up in environments where they feel safe, valued, listened to, and respected. Encouraging open communication, promoting positive relationships, reducing bullying, teaching emotional regulation, supporting healthy lifestyles, and creating opportunities for children to express themselves all contribute to stronger mental wellbeing.
In addition, regular mental health awareness programmes should become an integral part of our educational system and communities. Schools should organise mental health workshops for teachers, students, parents, and caregivers to improve awareness, reduce stigma, and equip them with practical skills for recognising early warning signs and responding appropriately. Teachers should be trained not only to identify behavioural and emotional changes but also to respond with empathy and know when to refer students for professional support. Parents should be empowered with the knowledge and confidence to have open conversations about mental wellbeing at home, while students should be taught that seeking help is a sign of courage, not weakness.
Building a mentally healthy society requires more than reacting to crises. It requires investing in prevention, education, and early intervention. When families, schools, health care professionals, faith-based organisations, and communities work together, they create environments where children feel safe, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Protecting children’s mental health is not solely the responsibility of health care providers. It is a shared responsibility that begins in our homes, schools, places of worship, and communities. Every caring adult has the opportunity to become a source of hope for a child in distress.
The future of our nation depends not only on educating children academically but also on nurturing their emotional and psychological wellbeing. Every child deserves to be seen, heard, supported, and allowed to thrive.
CALL TO ACTION
If you notice persistent changes in a child’s behaviour or emotional wellbeing, do not ignore them or dismiss them as “just a phase.” Start a conversation. Listen without judgement. Seek support from a qualified mental health professional when necessary. Schools should strengthen counselling services, establish effective referral systems, and create supportive environments that prioritise restoration before exclusion.
Governments, educational authorities, professional bodies, civil society organisations, and the private sector should invest in comprehensive school mental health programmes, teacher capacity building, and public awareness campaigns. Together, we can build a society where seeking help is encouraged, stigma is reduced, and every child has access to the support they need.
The conversations we start today may save lives tomorrow. Let us choose empathy over judgement, support over stigma, and healing over exclusion. No child should suffer in silence when compassion, understanding, and timely intervention can make all the difference.
Pharmacist Uzowulu Chidera Blessing-Substance Use Prevention Expert | Mental Health Advocate
Email; chiderauzowulufoundation@gmail.com
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