Mental health in children attributed to lack of closer parental relationship

A mental health advocate Susan Chapala has attributed the rise in teenage mental health cases, which are now resulting in children committing suicide to lack of an enabling environment for children to open up to their parents and guardians on issues affecting them.

Ms. Chapala says young people are finding it difficult to open up on certain issues because of the toxic environment they are living in and parents are disjoint from them, thereby creating an atmosphere where young people feel there is no one to give them hope.

She appealed to parents to have closer relationship with their children and create an enabling atmosphere where children can open up and share with their parents issues that are affecting them.

She further urged teachers in schools to be more friendly to pupils and observant of signs of seclusion among pupils.