Child Development and Public Health

Child Development and Public Health

The topic of my choice was “mental health of mothers, father, and families in general. I chose this particular topic because I think in order to produce a healthy child and be a healthy family one must be stable and be able to maintain an established, secure, warm and loving abode. I feel that it is gravely necessary to be mentally ready for all the challenges of parenthood. I also believe that if you are mentally unstable you are not able to give your child the best because of your underlying issues. I also feel that if you do chose to became a parent and you faced with mental health issues it will only be transferred to you child/children because children are a product of their environment. Personally I believe family structure has an overwhelming influence on children’s experiences and life path.

Mental illness is a universal problem that affects families all over the world. I did not find any specific research on how it affects families of different countries. However, I did find research that suggests that the effect parents with mental issues have on children’s well being and family life is considerable. Research says that children with parents who have mental issues are more likely to develop social, emotional and /or behavioral problems. Their upbringing influence their emotional and developmental well being as much as their inherited make-up. Mental health problems, including mood disorders, alcoholism, and personality disorders are some other illness that children of mental ill parents are at jeopardy of obtaining. Research advise that in spite of all these challenges children of mental ill parents are faced with the are resilient and able to flourish despite genetic and environmental vulnerability. This amazes me because it lets me know that you do not have to become a product of your environment.