Building Children's Mental Resilience Starts with a Harmonious Family Environment

Building mental resilience in children requires a strong foundation, which begins with a healthy and conducive family environment. Clinical psychologist Meiri Dias Tuti, M.Psi., Psikolog, stressed that the family is the primary informal educational institution for a child’s growth and development. According to Meiri, parents who desire good mental health for their children must be able to create harmony at home. A safe and comfortable environment is the main key to ensuring a child feels emotionally protected. “The family is the main education. Parents must be harmonious and able to provide a safe and comfortable environment at home,” Meiri said. Besides environmental factors, Meiri highlighted the importance of nutritional intake. Providing nutritious and healthy food is considered very helpful for brain development and a child’s overall mental health. However, an aspect that is no less crucial is the instillation of manners and character. Meiri believes that sending children to school is not a complete handover of responsibility, but rather a temporary delegation of tasks. Parents still hold the main control in building order, communication, and fulfilling the need for affection. “If we want to build good character, we choose a school with a good system and a vision and mission that fits the family. However, it must still be supported by education within the family, including teaching social, cultural, and religious values,” she added. Mental resilience also involves the school’s role through teachers’ observation of student behaviour. Meiri advised parents to be sensitive to abnormal changes in their child’s behaviour. If indications of a disorder are found, consultation with a mental health professional is highly recommended. In line with this, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK), Pratikno, reminded that academic intelligence is meaningless without prime physical and mental health. He called for the realisation of four ‘Safe and Comfortable Spaces’ for Indonesian children. The synergy between family, school, government, and the digital environment is expected to create an ecosystem that supports the mental resilience of the younger generation in the future.