Parents and caregivers have been encouraged to create safe, supportive and non-judgmental home environments where children can freely express their emotions and discuss their feelings without fear.
The call was made by Ridwan Oyenuga, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SereniMind, a youth mental health platform, during an engagement aimed at promoting children’s emotional well-being and mental health awareness.
According to Mr. Oyenuga, many children experience emotions such as fear, sadness, loneliness, anxiety, disappointment and stress but often struggle to communicate their feelings because they lack the confidence or appropriate language to express themselves.
He stressed that parents play a critical role in helping children develop emotional intelligence by listening attentively, showing empathy and encouraging open conversations about their experiences.
“Children need to know they can talk about how they feel without being judged or punished,” he emphasized, adding that supportive family relationships are essential for healthy emotional development.
Mr. Oyenuga noted that when children suppress their emotions, they become more vulnerable to mental health challenges, behavioral problems and difficulties in building healthy relationships later in life.
He urged parents to spend quality time with their children, pay attention to changes in their behavior and create an atmosphere where they feel safe discussing their worries and challenges.
The mental health advocate also encouraged schools, communities and policymakers to collaborate in promoting children’s mental health through education, counselling services and awareness campaigns.
Experts say early emotional support helps children develop resilience, improve academic performance and build the confidence needed to navigate life’s challenges.
The appeal comes amid growing recognition of the importance of mental health and emotional well-being as key components of children’s overall development.
Parents and caregivers were reminded that creating a nurturing environment where children feel heard, valued and understood can have a lasting positive impact on their growth and future success.
