Mental health: how to take care of yourself

As part of its outreach activities for students of East Kazakhstan region, Örken East Kazakhstan Regional Scientific and Methodological Center for Informatization and Education Development of Education Administration of East Kazakhstan region organized and held a lesson on one of the most pressing topics of our time - maintaining mental health.

The invited speaker was Zhanar A. Mukhtarova - an expert of Shygys Preventive Medicine Center. The lesson was held in the format of a live and confidential interview, which made the discussion accessible, engaging and fruitful for a young audience.

The key topics discussed during the lesson:

1. What is a student’s mental health?

The speaker explained that it is not just the absence of illness, but a state of comfort when the child feels safe, knows how to express emotions, manage stress, believes in their abilities and maintains harmonious relationships with others.

2. What factors affect mental health?

Zhanar A. Mukhtarova elaborated on the key factors: family atmosphere, school environment, high–quality sleep (8-10 hours), balanced nutrition, academic workload and, what is especially important today, reasonable use of gadgets and parental control over the content children consume.

3. Warning signs: how do we know a child is unwell?

The expert highlighted the following key signs: increased irritability, aggression or, withdrawal, isolation, loss of interest in school and hobbies, apathy. An important marker is a change in typical behavior. If such changes last for 3-4 weeks, it is important to seek help from a school psychologist or other specialist.

4. How can we maintain a child’s mental health?

The family plays an outstanding role in it: creating a safe and friendly environment, the ability to listen without judgment, showing love and support, as well as joint leisure activities – games, outdoor activities, reading books. It is important to appreciate the child’s efforts, not high results. The school also plays a vital role by fostering a friendly atmosphere in the classroom and monitoring students’ emotional state.

5. What should be done if specialist assistance is needed?

It is important not to miss the moment. Persistent behavioral or emotional changes are a reason to consult a child psychologist or psychotherapist.

6. How can students take care of their own mental health?

Following the lesson, the speaker gave practical advice to the students: to maintain a daily routine, get enough sleep, eat well, have favorite hobbies, limit screen time, avoid suppressing negative emotions and seek adult support when needed.

The knowledge gained will help students of East Kazakhstan region better understand themselves and others, consciously take care of their mental well-being, and develop healthy lifelong habits   

Örken East Kazakhstan Regional Scientific and Methodological Center for Informatization and Education Development of Education Administration of East Kazakhstan region expresses its gratitude to Zhanar A. Mukhtarova for a fruitful and valuable dialogue and looks forward to further cooperation within educational initiatives for students of the region.