Children’s Mental Health Week

This Children’s Mental Health Week, PsySSA centres the voices of its Divisions to reflect on the realities facing children’s mental health in South Africa today.

Across the week, we will be sharing contributions from the DRM, SEPSA, and SD Divisions, offering diverse perspectives on the challenges, responsibilities, and possibilities for more responsive, ethical, and just care for children.

Together, these reflections invite us to pause, listen, and consider how psychology can meaningfully respond to the complex contexts shaping children’s lives.

CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES

“NO END IN SIGHT”

The Children’s Mental Health Week is an appropriate time to reflect on what extent we as collegial professionals have delivered on our previous mandate which we could have eloquently articulated around this time last year. In essence during the intervening period, how relevant and responsive have we been to current needs and circumstances?

Children’s Mental Health are impinged by a multiplicity of factors. This is borne out by Bronfenbrenner (1979). His Ecological Systems Theory is wide encompassing. Space does not allow an in-depth elaboration of his valuable theory. However, his emphasis on the environmental interaction between and among family, peers and school have great significance for Children’s Mental Health. Are intersections in the Microsystem amongst these three constructs contributory factors in respect of Children’s Mental Health?

The much-desired harmonious balance is at times shattered in the home. Ordinarily a safe haven for an intact family becomes the very place that disrupts the familial bond and turns it into chaos and instability. Hostile school circumstances further diffuse mental health difficulties. Negative peer pressure also plays a vital role in mental health reduction of children.

In the meantime, according to SAMRC (2025) Mental Health concerns are growing almost unchecked at an alarming rate:
• Depressive disorder (10.1%)
• Anxiety (6.7%)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (17.6%)
• Suicide thoughts (10.1%)
• Substance abuse (33.17%)

This is by no means exhaustive. There is a myriad of other mental conditions. However, the above merely serves to highlight the scope of the problem. Let us briefly consider the impact on education and future opportunities.

While the above are well-known, let’s posit how the school may be an indirect source of aggravating Mental Health challenges among learners. At present this is intuitive. It may possibly generate further research.

The psychological profession, no less Educational Psychologists, need to press pause and examine the inferences of TIMMS (2019) and PIRLS (2021) studies. In TIMMS (2019), South African grade five pupils ranked among the lowest. This is the group who will be writing the grade twelve examination at the end of the 2026 year. Watch this space.

In PIRLS (2021), grade four learners landed bottom of the pile. A dismal repeat performance of PIRLS (2016). Further, it was concluded that almost (80%) of the 2021 cohort were unable to comprehend the simple narrative text.

The educational repercussions and the mental health implications are far-reaching.

Back at the ranch. Department of Basic Education, 2025, records an (88%) pass rate for NSC learners. Unsuccessful learners comprised (12%) of this pool which equated to 110 520 students.

Is this something to be really proud about?

While the classrooms burn, the Officials go on ‘fiddling”.

Dr N Chetty- SEPSA- Executive Member

SPOTLIGHTING ORGANISATIONS FOR CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH WEEK

PsySSA and the PsySSA Student Division stand united in support of Children’s Mental Health Week. We recognise the importance of supporting the emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing of children across South Africa, as it is both necessary and urgent. Children’s mental health does not exist in isolation, it is shaped by individual experiences, as well as the systems, communities, and forms of support that are available to them. In honour of this week, we are spotlighting some organisations that are doing vital work to support children and their psychosocial well-being. These organisations play a critical role in creating safe, supportive environments where children can thrive.

We call on students, practitioners, and community members to engage with these resources, share them, and support their work in a collaborative commitment to advance children’s mental health.

Nationwide:

• Childline – https://www.childlinesa.org.za
• The Family Life Centre (FAMSA) – https://www.familylife.co.za

Gauteng:

• The Johannesburg Parent & Child Counselling Centre (JPCCC) – https://www.jpccc.org.za
• The Teddy Bear Foundation – https://teddybearfoundation.org.za
• Ububele – https://www.ububele.org

KwaZulu Natal:

• Durban and Coastal Mental Health – https://dcmh.org.za

Eastern Cape:

• Waves for Change – https://waves-for-change.org

Western Cape:

• JellyBeanz – https://jellybeanz.org.za
• Waves for Change – https://waves-for-change.org
• The Youth Hub – https://youthhub.org.za

Limpopo:

• Anova Health Institute’s Ke Botlhokwa Programme – https://anovahealth.co.za/ke-botlhokwa/
• Maretlagadi Welfare Centre – https://www.facebook.com/p/Maretlagadi-Welfare-Centre-100064965270807/

Children’s Mental Health Week

Children do not always have the words to say how they feel, but their behaviour often tells the story.

Children’s Mental Health Week reminds us that mental health matters from the very start of life. Emotional well-being shapes how children learn, relate to others, cope with stress, and see themselves in the world.

Supporting children’s mental health does not require perfect parenting or all the answers. It starts with simple, everyday actions. Listening without judgement. Making space for feelings, even the uncomfortable ones. Offering safety, consistency, and reassurance.

When children feel seen, heard, and supported, they are more likely to thrive, not just now, but throughout their lives.

This week, let us talk openly about children’s mental health. Let’s challenge stigma, encourage compassion, and remind every child that their feelings matter.

Because strong minds start with safe spaces.

#ChildrensMentalHealthWeek
#MentalHealthMatters
#EveryChildMatters
#SupportingYoungMinds

Children’s Mental Health Week provides an opportunity to raise awareness regarding the emotional and psychological well-being of children and young people.  The mental health of children is influenced by cognitive development, emotional regulation, academic and social functioning. Thus, mental health influences how children understand their emotions, cope with pressure, cope with learning, and building relationships.  Research show that early mental health promotion and prompt intervention can lower the likelihood of unfavourable consequences later in life (WHO, 2021).  

Current challenges affecting children’s mental health include but not limited to academic pressure, exposure to social media, socioeconomic equality, family dynamics, and community violence. According to UNICEF (2022), these factors are likely to increase vulnerability to depressive symptoms, anxiety, trauma related disorders, and difficulties in behavior, if not addressed in time.  Globally, one in every seven 10-19-year-olds experience a mental condition, accounting for 15% of the global burden of illness in this age group (WHO, 2025). Children’s Mental Health Week emphasises the significance of preventative measures, access to psychological and child-centred mental health services.    

In South Africa, the Teddy Bear Foundation plays an important role in the prevention of children’s mental health and offer forensic assessments, therapeutic counselling, court preparations, and advocacy services for children affected by abuse and neglect. The Teddy Bear Foundation underscores the importance of trauma-informed care by focusing on both psychological rehabilitation and child protection.

Schools, early child care centres, including families, carry shared responsibility towards the care of children in society. According to WHO (2021), safe and inclusive schooling environments, trauma-sensitive practices,  and supportive teacher-learner relations can help children feel secure and understood. 

Children’s Mental Health 2026 calls upon researchers, clinicians, educators, and policymakers to work collaboratively to strengthen child protection systems and expand access to mental health services within the communities.    

References

Department of Social Development. (2019). National child care and protection policy. Government of South Africa.

World Health Organisation. (2021). Guidelines on mental health promotive and preventive interventions for children and adolescents.

UNICEF. (2022). The state of the world’s children: On my mind-Promoting, protecting, and caring for children’s mental health.

World Health Organisation. (2025).

Compiled by: DRM Committee

Disclaimer: AI was used to research and source publications and references