Dr Maumoon advises parents to listen to the child non-judgementally, to offer them support, and to model healthy behaviours.
In this fifth segment of the conversation with Dr Maumoon Shareef, Head of the Mental Health Centre at the Hulhumale' Hospital, we talk about the dangers of self harm and preventive action that can be taken.
Dr Maumoon speaks about what leads to thoughts of self harm in adolescents, offering advice on how to overcome such thoughts, as well as how parents can support their teenaged children who may be susceptible to such actions.
"As for parents, you have to learn to listen non-judgementally and let the child speak and try as much as possible to understand them. And if they need professional help, you can try to provide it for them," Dr Maumoon advises.
"You have to model healthy behaviours in front of your children. Healthy ways of dealing with irritation. Healthy ways of dealing with trauma and sadness. How to regulate their emotions properly, you have to model it for them, then they will learn from you. It is becoming increasingly common, so that is something parents have to talk to their children about."
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