A pandemic atop a pandemic: the increasing mental health crisis among adolescents in the United States

Posted on Posted in Health, Uncategorized

The United States of America (U.S.) has seen a dramatic rise in recorded instances of anxiety and depression among its youth population (Horowitz, 2019). These mental health challenges affect youth, and in particular adolescents, across the country with roughly equal proportions despite the race, economic background or gender of the young person in question (Horowitz, […]

Positive effects of yoga on children’s mental and physical health

Posted on Posted in Education, Health

Just like adults, children’s ability to relax has a significant impact on their cognitive and metacognitive development. This state of balance is not an innate skill, but instead can be learned through regular practice and exercise. By engaging in relaxation techniques such as yoga, children can improve their mental state which, in turn, enables them […]

Improving children’s well-being through the Montessori education models

Posted on Posted in Children's Rights, Education, Health

The first Montessori school opened its door to students more than 115 years ago in Rome, Italy. What makes Montessori different from other educational methods, is its focus on both the mental and physical development of a child. Rather than imposing strict classroom rules and restrictions, parents and educators who follow the Montessori Method put […]

Up in smoke: the United States of America’s vaping epidemic threatens adolescent futures

Posted on Posted in Children's Rights, Environment, Health

Following rapid growth, e-cigarettes have become the most used tobacco product among youth populations in the United States of America (USA) (Cullen, 2019). Their modern packaging – often shaped like USB flash drives – and multiplicity of artificial flavours appeal to younger demographics (Cullen, 2019). Beyond the glitz and glamour, e-cigarettes have been thrust to […]

Ethnic cleansing and grave violations of children’s rights in Ethiopia’s Western Tigray region

Posted on Posted in Children's Rights, Health, Human Rights, Poverty, violence

Hundreds of thousands of Tigrayans have been silently displaced, abused and scrutinized in atrocious actions played by the Amhara region and the Ethiopian Federal troops where children, women and men not only lost their homes and loved ones but also their dignity and human rights. This ethnic war has caused children in Western Tigray to […]

Safeguarding elite child athletes: a multidimensional challenge

Posted on Posted in Children's Rights, Explotation, Health

At the landmark 2020 International Labour Organisation (ILO) Dialogue Forum on Decent Work in the World of Sport, member states emphasised the need for “special protection” for young athletes, given the intensity of their working environments. With limited consent, young athletes are frequently required to push themselves through extreme physical training, risking serious or chronic […]

How early marriage is negatively impacting maternal health during teenage pregnancies worldwide

Posted on Posted in Child Marriage, Children's Rights, Explotation, Health

In the world, as we know it, marriage stands for a symbiosis of support and understanding. However, the sad reality is that not everyone gets the same chance to make it right. Whilst it is true that forced child marriage practice has decreased over time, we still have a long way to go.  Unfortunate instances […]

Diversity of bodies – intersex children’s rights to self-determine their own bodies

Posted on Posted in Children's Rights, Empowerment, Health, Human Rights, LGBTQ+ Rights

“Medicine and society need to see intersex individuals as natural. I occur in nature and I demand to make my own decisions, the same as any other person. And I demand it for any individual who is born intersex.” – Karen A. Walsh (Davis, 2016) The term “intersex” is an umbrella term that describes bodily […]

Children’s lack of access to pediatric intensive care in rural areas threatens their right to life

Posted on Posted in Health, Poverty

Pediatric intensive care is fundamental in reducing morbidity and mortality globally. In rural areas, the majority of hospitals is lacking designated intensive care units, healthcare staff trained to care for critically ill children, and rapid access to necessary medications, supplies and equipment. Consequently, children in rural areas and other resource-limited settings face increasing barriers to […]