Academic Pressure and Children’s Mental Health

Projective Objectives

• To raise awareness among parents, teachers, and community members about the harmful effects of academic and emotional pressure on children.
• To highlight the urgent need to address children’s mental health as a priority for a progressive and compassionate society.
• To create a dialogue between educators, psychologists, and parents to understand how unconscious behaviors impact children’s well-being.
• To offer practical guidance on how parents and teachers can become more empathetic and supportive toward children’s emotional needs.
• To encourage institutions and families to adopt child-sensitive approaches in education and parenting.

Project Summary

Super Kid Initiatives, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Turag Uttara, organized a seminar titled “Academic Pressure and Children’s Mental Health: Negative Impacts and What We Can Do” on November 19 at Uttara Model Club Limited. The event brought together parents, teachers, and community leaders to explore the pressing issue of how academic and emotional pressure affects children’s mental health in Bangladesh.

Despite the normalization of educational stress in our society, children often silently suffer from unrealistic expectations and a lack of emotional autonomy. The seminar aimed to shed light on these issues and advocate for a more empathetic and supportive approach in both schools and homes.

Key Speakers Included

• Ms. Ishrat Jahan, former Head of Junior Section, Bangladesh International Tutorial (BIT)
• Ms. Sanjida Parvin, Lecturer, Department of Psychology, Murapara Government College

They presented real-life examples, psychological insights, and actionable advice for parents and teachers to better support children’s emotional development. The session also included an interactive Q&A and participation from community leaders, such as Mr. Usrul Wasi, President of the Rotary Club of Turag Uttara, and Mr. Tanzil Hasan, Founder and CEO of Super Kid Initiatives, both of whom committed to continuing such awareness efforts in the future.

Outcomes

• Increased Awareness: Participants gained deeper insight into the negative psychological impact of academic pressure on children.
• Community Engagement: Parents, educators, and community members actively participated in discussions, fostering a culture of shared responsibility for children’s well-being.
• Capacity Building: Attendees received expert advice on recognizing and reducing emotional stress in children through supportive parenting and teaching methods.
• Behavioral Change: The seminar encouraged parents and teachers to reflect on and modify behaviors that may unknowingly harm children’s mental health.
• Commitment to Future Action: Organizers and participants expressed a strong interest in further initiatives, creating momentum for long-term mental health advocacy and programming.