CHILDREN AND LIFE SKILLS Dr UNNIKRISHNAN R NAIR PSYCHIATRIST MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE , PEROORKADA

MENTAL HEALTH IN CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS - CURRENT STATUS 10-20% experience a mental health condition Globally depression is the 3rd leading cause of illness and disability among adolescents Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in older adolescents

Substance abuse and other risk taking behavior especially sexual violence are rapidly increasing. Behavioral disorders such as ADHD , Conduct disorder are also on the rise ½ of all mental health conditions start by 14 years of age but most are undetected and untreated

CONSEQUENCES HEALTH SOCIAL ACADEMICS/ JOB FINANCIAL FAMILY

MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION AND PREVENTION REMAINS THE KEY…..

MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS FOLLOW A SPECTRUM NORMAL DEVELOPMENTAL VARIATIONS PROBLEMS TRUE DISORDERS

ETIOLOGY TEMPERAMENT COPING STYLES KNOWLEDGE SOCIAL BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL TEMPERAMENT COPING STYLES KNOWLEDGE GENETICS PARENTING STYLES, ENVIRONMENT GENETIC vulnerability + PSYCHOSOCIAL stress leads to DISORDER

MODIFIABLE NONMODIFIABLE

MODIFIABLE FACTORS PSYCHOLOGICAL LIFE SKILLS SOCIAL SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FAMILY, SCHOOL, COMMUNITY

LIFE SKILLS

DEFINITION WHO -THE ABILITIES FOR ADAPTIVE AND POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR THAT ENABLE INDIVIDUALS TO DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH THE DEMANDS AND CHALLENGES OF EVERYDAY LIFE UNICEF - A BEHAVIOUR CHANGE OR BEHAVIOUR DEVELOPMENT APPROACH DESIGNED TO ADDRESS A BALANCE OF THREE AREAS – KNOWLEDGE ,ATTITUDE & SKILLS

OBJECTIVE TRANSLATE “KAV” TO POSITIVE HEALTH BEHAVIOUR

HOW TO IMPLEMENT?

LIFE SKILLS APPROACH life skills approach can be successful, if the following are undertaken together: a) The Skills -This involves a group of psychosocial and interpersonal skills which are interlinked with each other. For example, decision- making is likely to involve creative and critical thinking components and values analysis.

CORE SKILL AREAS SELF AWARENESS & EMPATHY EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION & INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS CREATIVE THINKING & CRITICAL THINKING DECISION MAKING & PROBLEM SOLVING COPING WITH STRESS & EMOTIONS

b) Content – To effectively influence behaviour, skills must be utilized in a particular content area. Learning about decision- making will be more meaningful if the content is relevant and remains constant. Such content areas as described could be drug use, HIV/AIDS/STI prevention, suicide prevention or sexual abuse. Whatever the content area, a balance of three elements needs to be considered: knowledge, attitudes and skills.

ULLASAPARAVAKAL Personal care Cleanliness Healthy eating habits Mental & social growth Physical growth Safety Interpersonal relationships Responsible behaviour

c) Methods Traditional "information-based" approaches are generally not sufficient to yield changes in attitudes and behaviours. It should be substantiated with exercises and situations where participants can practice safe behaviour and experience its effects. The adult learning theory emphasizes that adults learn best that which they can associate with their experience and practice. If a message is given once, the brain remembers only 10 percent of it one day later, and when the same message is given six times a day, the brain remembers 90 percent of it. Hence the need to repeat, recap, reinforce and review.

METHODS Role play Discussions Debate Case presentation Survey Rating scale Activity Rehearsal

Outcomes of Life Skills-Based Education increased acquisition of knowledge improved self-image, self-awareness increased pro-social behaviour and decreased negative, self-destructive behavior improved classroom behaviour;

increased the ability to plan ahead and choose effective solutions to problems improved social and emotional adjustment gains in self control and handling of interpersonal problems and coping with anxiety improved constructive conflict resolution with peers, impulse control and popularity.

Research studies have also shown that sex education based on life skills was more effective in bringing about changes in adolescent contraceptive use & delay in sexual debut delay in the onset of alcohol and marijuana use developing attitudes and behaviour necessary for preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

GROUP DISCUSSIONS

GROUP 2

HOW TO DECIDE? Knowledge Attitude values Self awareness & empathy ASSESS LIFE SKILLS Knowledge Attitude values Self awareness & empathy Creative and critical thinking Effective communication & interpersonal relationships Coping with stress & emotions Decision making & problem solving

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