‘And when we recognize problems, we have nowhere to send our children for help. You have to have plans’

The coronavirus pandemic and the earthquakes in Croatia left a huge mark on the mental health of everyone, especially children who had a hard time coping with all the difficulties. Clinical psychologist Ella Selak Bagari, head of the Center for Youth Health (which operates within the Health Center Zagreb Istok), spoke about this for 24 hours, who has publicly advocated for the return of psychologists to primary health care, i.e. homes, on behalf of the profession for many years. of health, which is possible today through the Program for the establishment of mental health of the Ministry of Health in health centers. We also spoke with the professor of the Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb, prof. Ph.D. sc. Gordan Keresteš.

– In the young population, suicides are among the first causes of mortality in the world. Since 2010, we have been saw that something was happening to children, and the pandemic and earthquakes only exposed the true state of impaired mental health among children and young people. We need an alarm given that we are not reacting early enough. Adolescent suicides can be impulsive, but mental health problems do not arise overnight. When we look at girls who are at risk, they often withdraw into themselves. Aggressiveness is sometimes manifested in boys. For example, worried parents say that their son is rude and doesn’t follow the rules, and they feel helpless. They see his behavior, and after we make a diagnosis, underlying depression is revealed. It is necessary to react in time and without feelings of shame and stigmatization – psychologist Selak Bagari told 24sata.

Suicide attempts are connected, he adds, with the general deterioration of the psychological state in society, and with increased depression in people. Last year she adds, their helpć provided to 1379 users, of which 445 came for counseling, the so-called drop in counseling. That means without an appointment, a referral and completely free of charge, and what is most important to many – without being stigmatized for seeking help. psychologist. In total, they conducted psychological treatment of 487 children.

– In addition, we conducted individual counseling with 2,389 children and young people, and with 1,211 parents. After the tragic event in Belgrade, mothers came to us for counseling and for the first time said that their boys were exhibiting aggressive behavior. They came to ask for help, but until then they were not aware enough that avoiding talking about the problem was not in their interest, nor in the children’s interest. Unfortunately, sometimes only after great tragedies do we become aware of possible problems. What is positive is that many parents came in time to get help. and mental health experts have the opportunity to react early, to help prevent the progression of symptoms, and even further negative events – Selak Bagari told us.

He states that it is crucial that the psychologist’s services are continuous because it takes at least three to six months of working with the child to get out of the crisis. Support for parents is also necessary in this. Professor Gordana Keresteš told 24sata that during the pandemic, their department conducted a study involving over a thousand children, which showed that high school students have more mental health problems than elementary school students.

– The number of children with mental difficulties increases with the age of the child. It turns out that girls have more problems than boys. It has been shown that children who have worse relationships with their parents, spouse, siblings and peers have more problems. Those who have better relationships have fewer problems. We lack a well-thought-out, comprehensive mental health care system to protect both children and adults. We should focus on prevention, but there is no system that deals with it. This system must include the educational system, the social welfare system, healthcare and the judiciary. Professionals who work with children and young people should be educated so that they can recognize mental health problems early.

In addition, we need clear protocols so that as soon as we recognize that the child has a problem, we determine where to send him. With us, it often happens that even when we recognize the problem, we have nowhere to send the child for help. because we lack experts and everyone is passing the ball to each other – pointed out Professor Keresteš. He warns that today there are far greater demands on children as far as education is concerned, everything is added, more of them are expected to be successful.

– We have fewer and fewer places where children feel good today, and for healthy development they should have places where they feel good. Many children do not like going to school because it is not adapted to the child’s needs. These needs mean that they feel safe in schools, that they have close and quality relationships with others, that they feel successful, that they are autonomous, that their opinion is respected. And not to just impose the opinion of others on them. We do not nurture interpersonal relationships enough, students are burdened with numerous exams and material. Schools should educate children more and nurture positive relationships between them, and not, as is the case now, nurture only competitiveness and competition. Parents should devote more time to their children.

To listen to them more, so that they care about getting to know what their child is like, and not that they have an image of an ideal child, as they think it should be, and that they push it. Parents have to cooperate more with the school, take care of their own mental health, so that they can also take care of their child’s. A child’s good relationships with parents and friends protect them from mental health problems – warns prof. You’re looking.

The recommendation for adults is to, he said, closely monitor any major changes in their child’s behavior.

– Loss of appetite in a child, less sleep, neglect of appearance are all risks that the environment can notice. One factor is never responsible for the problem of mental health, not only the parent or only the school, butć several factors – says Prof. You’re looking.