Hope with Pragati Sureka

 

Hope Stories for a Healthy mind is a collection of three stories aimed at building emotionally healthy children. Author Pragati Jalan Sureka has been working in the field of mental health for over fifteen years. Here are a few questions she answered .about coping with mental health challenges faced by the children in her stories,

                       

1. As a psychologist, how often do you come across kids like Shoma, Kabir and Ryan who face challenges because of OCD, depression and divorce in and around them?

Very often. Poor performance in school is an alarming trend and more often than not, there is some issue at home that has caused it.

2. In all three stories, the parent/parents are patient with their kids. In actual life, how supportive are parents?

Unfortunately, parents are not very supportive. They want the best for their children, and yet they have very little time to listen to children. This book aims to create awareness about the importance of effective communication with children.

3. Your book stresses on the need for good communication patterns to raise emotionally intelligent children. Can you elaborate?

 

Good communication means being present whole heartedly when talking to children.

A simple example remembering to actively listen when a child is talking, without being distracted by the phone or ancillary activities. Quality of talking, listening and paying attention is crucial for good communication

4. In Kabir’s story, his mother stresses on the need to talk about one’s feelings before they erupt like a volcano and hurt themselves and the surrounding people. How does a child know it's the right time to talk about their feelings without bottling them up?

When a child feels difficulty in coping up, is distracted from school work, has poor sleep or change in social interaction patterns or eats too much or too little, it is time to address issues.

5. Name one tool teachers and parents can use effectively and easily to help children like Shoma, Kabir and Ryan?

Active Listening!

6. In all three stories, the onus is on the child to change their perception to dealing with their problems. There is no preaching about the unfairness and rudeness in the world. How will this approach be helpful to kids in dealing with problems when they turn into adults?

They will have built emotional strength and learnt the skills of emotional intelligence, and that is what will give them the capacity to deal with issues as adults.

To buy a copy of Hope Stories  for a Healthy Mind, click here.