What Every Child Needs for Good Mental Health

To grow healthy and strong, children need good food, plenty of sleep, exercise and fresh air. Children have emotional needs too. To have good health - and to be both healthy and happy, all children require…
LOVE
Every child needs to feel:
• That his parents like him for himself, just the way he is.
• That they like her all the time, and not only when she acts how they think she should act.
• That they always accept him, even though often they may not approve of the things he does.
• That they will let her grow and develop in her own way.

SECURITY
Every child needs to know:
• That his home is a good safe place and he can feel sure about it.
• That her parents will always be on hand, especially in times of crisis when she needs them most.
• That he belongs to a family or group; that there is a place where he fits in.

PROTECTION
Every child needs to feel:
• That his parents will keep him safe from harm.
• That they will help her when she must face strange, unknown and frightening situations.

FAITH
Every child needs to have:
• A set of moral standards to live by.
• A belief in the human values - kindness, courage, honesty, generosity and justice.

INDEPENDENCE
Every child needs to know:
• That her parents want her to grow up and that they encourage her to try new things.
• That they have confidence in him and in his ability to do things for himself and by himself.

GUIDANCE
Every child needs to have:
• Grown-ups around him who show him by example how to get along with others.
• Friendly help in learning how to behave toward persons and things.

CONTROL
Every child needs to know
• That here are limits to what she is permitted to do and that her parents will hold her to those limits.
• That though it is all right to feel jealous or angry, he will not be allowed to hurt himself or others when he has these feelings.

Children whose basic needs are satisfied have a better chance to grow up in good mental health and to become mentally healthy adults – people who are good parents, good mates, good workers, good neighbors, and good citizens.