International Mental Health Day (10th October) is approaching, so let’s talk about the issue of mental health and wellbeing and this month.
In 2000 former educational software entrepreneurs, the Davidsons, founded the Davidson Institute for Talent Development, a nonprofit operating foundation, out of a concern that gifted and talented young people are largely neglected and underserved. The mission of the Davidson Institute is to recognize, nurture and support profoundly intelligent young people and to provide opportunities for them to develop their talents to make a positive difference. Their ’Resource Library’ features the weekly Davidson Gifted Blog, free guidebooks, support for educators and more to help students, parents and educators pinpoint gifted information: https://www.davidsongifted.org/resource-library/
Among the various materials, we can also find the blog, which revolves around the challenges and special characteristics of gifted students: https://www.davidsongifted.org/gifted-blog/
Among the various topics, this month I recommend ’mental health’ which is a broad category that houses topics such as general wellbeing, stress, anxiety, and depression among others. While gifted children may not be any more susceptible to mental health issues as other adolescents, there are certain aspects of giftedness that may influence or amplify a gifted child’s experience of mental health issues. These articles serve as a general review of mental health issues and gifted children, including practices that may help promote positive development.