Mental wellness is fragile. Our mental health is fragile, and we can be tipped over the edge very easily. Children experience the same, but they often have less control over their situation, and they also have less life experience, so many find it hard to understand that things can work out and get better given the right support and time.
Bad news, potential bad news, or a bad experience can and will unsettle and destabilise you. Everything feels out of proportion, we experience broken sleep, we lose our appetite (or we comfort eat), we have a nervous feeling in the pit of our stomach, we feel on edge, and it makes us feel snappy with others. These feelings can come in waves and will feel overwhelming at times. Imagine being a child and feeling scared, angry, sad, frustrated, and other people are making decisions for you that will affect your whole life. Humiliation, shame, uncertainty do not make you feel like mixing with other people and they do not make you feel like you want to follow more instructions from adults. No wonder some children ‘snap’ in school – we do not always know what others are dealing with.
If you notice someone in school (child or adult) who is grumpy, short-tempered, angry, or withdrawn, check in with them and see if there is anything you can do to help. Some children (and adults) may continue to act as they always do, but you might notice small changes in their behaviour if you have developed a positive relationship with them over time. You might just notice that the sparkle is not in their eyes.
They may not want to talk, but just knowing you are there, and you have noticed will make a huge difference to that person.
Reach Behaviour 