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Will you recognise the signs if your 10-year-old is troubled?
Children as young as seven are afraid to share their mental health struggles for fear of being scolded. Parents must recognise their distress and support them.
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Significant mental health problems can and do occur among children in middle childhood, and these can have lasting effects.
PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Vivyan Chee and Lin Xiaoling
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“Last time I went for counselling because of my self-harm... when I came back, (my parents) were pretty upset and scolded me.”
These were the words of a 12-year-old child sharing his experience with Tinkle Friend, a national toll-free helpline and chatline for primary school children in Singapore who need a listening ear.
