Recent research shows that the increase in mental health disorders among school-aged children and teens is linked to a lack of opportunities for children and teens to play, roam, and participate in activities independently, without “direct adult supervision and control.”
The research further states that parents who deprive their children of independence are contributing to record levels of anxiety, depression and suicide among young people.
Recently, the teenage daughter of a South Indian actor also took her own life due to depression for which she was undergoing treatment. The Chennai police had discovered a suicide note in the room of Meera, the daughter of Tamil actor and composer Vijay Antony, who tragically committed suicide on September 19. The note, written in English, expressed her feelings of love and missing loved ones. , including friends and teachers. Concerns about her family’s suffering without her were also reported. The police seized the letter as part of their investigation. Meera, a class 12 student at a private school in Chennai, was undergoing treatment for emotional problems. Despite immediate medical attention after she was found hanging at home, her life could not be saved.
Dr. Anupam Jaiswal, Consultant Pediatric Intensivist and Pediatrician, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Bannerghatta, Bangalore, says, “Children today are growing up in a world that is very different from what previous generations have experienced, where they are spending more and more time indoors due to factors like screen addiction, over-scheduled lives, sometimes academic demands, concerns about sun safety and limited access to safe outdoor spaces. This leads to all kinds of developmental problems, with the most notable impact on mental well-being.”
The benefits of outdoor play are extremely important to a child’s well-being, especially when it comes to promoting their mental health.
Dr. Sumaira, Pediatrics Consultant at SPARSH Hospital, echoes the same sentiment: “In our modern, technology-driven society, children are increasingly spending time indoors, resulting in a decrease in play time. Play, especially outdoors, allows children to explore their environment, experiment with different scenarios and develop their own unique perspectives on the world around them. Furthermore, playing outside provides essential sun exposure and adequate vitamin D levels, which are low in children who stay indoors. When play time is limited, these opportunities for social growth are limited, leading to various mental disabilities. Through interactions with peers during play, children learn important lessons in communication, cooperation, negotiation and empathy. These skills are essential for building healthy relationships, dealing with conflict and developing self-esteem. Additionally, playtime provides an outlet for emotional expression.”
Children often use this time to process complex emotions, whether through role-play or storytelling. “When play time is limited, children may struggle to balance their emotions, leading to increased stress, depression, anxiety and increased feelings of isolation. This can have long-term consequences for their mental health, potentially manifesting as mood disorders or behavioral problems,” adds Dr. Sumaira.
Lack of playtime has far-reaching consequences for a child’s mental wellbeing, affecting their emotional resilience, social aptitude, creativity, physical health and sleep patterns. Recognizing the importance of playtime and incorporating it into your child’s daily routine is crucial in helping them develop into well-rounded, emotionally stable individuals.
Benefits of playing outside
Children should be active for at least an hour every day, and the best way to do this is to go outside and play. Whether they’re running, cycling or just playing, outdoor play is the ultimate mood-boosting exercise for kids.
But it’s not just about the physical health benefits. Playing outside also stimulates their brains. It encourages them to think creatively, solve problems and develop essential life skills such as planning, negotiating and multitasking.
“Socialization is another big win. Outdoor play is a fantastic classroom in which children can learn to make friends, share, work together and interact kindly with others. These are skills they won’t learn from screens or structured activities alone. Interacting with other children teaches them to become well-adjusted adults in society by helping them develop crucial skills such as language development, cooperation, conflict resolution, team work and empathy. This is important because the opposite of this is a child who has never had much contact with other children and shows signs of becoming withdrawn, has very little interest in what is around him, is unable to socialize successfully and has no social cues ” adds Dr. Jaiswal.
So remember that outdoor play is not all fun and games; it is a recipe for a happier, healthier and mentally resilient generation.