Covid 19-Its impact on children and their mental health
As we wait endlessly for normalcy to return post the Covid pandemic,there is a cause of huge concern , especially with young vulnerable children.The first of its kind experience of Social and physical distancing, isolation for weeks is taking a toll on their mental health. The short, medium and long-term implications of these factors are unknown and require studies and intervention. In countries like ours where the subject of mental health itself is taboo,there is a cause for concern.
• Log Kya Kahenge(What will people say?)
Across India,it actually cuts across all lines of caste, society,sex,age..mental vulnerabilities are to be closeted.Parents do not encourage such discussions, children are forced to quiety clamp up, by parents and their teachers.Its simply,taboo to discuss mental health issues.This pandemic and the lockdown has created a compelling need for positive intrusion-its time to approach this sensitive subject and encourage families to open out from their closets.What is needed now is for families and children to be encouraged to speak out and discuss their mental health,concerns and issues
• Homeschool ,its not fun,anymore
It was a welcome change and fun with no schools and colleges during the lockdown..But after on line classes resumed and the extended closure of schools, Its not been easy for them to adapt to the new home school with no play and restrictions.Class assignments,tests ,exams ,network and connectivity issues are all taking its toll.Homes have not been designed to accommodate a school.There are distractions and stressed teachers are finding it extremely difficult to manage the children and their sometimes intrusive parents,too.Kids have also to battle for space with the parents,also working from home.The atmosphere at home which was always lively ,joyful is now stressed ,beyond hope.It's not fun , anymore.
• Over protective parents ,cause of concern
There are a few who have completely closeted themselves and their families within the confines of a home.Kids have not stepped out for over 4 months and the constant fear psychosis and paranoia is not helping either. • Schools have to adaptIts high time Schools realised the need to adapt to this new requirement..They have not been responsive ,effective interventions are yet to happen at a school level.Class Teachers need to be trained too to recognize such symptomsearly.Child psychiatrists,Pyschologists and Counsellors who are specialized in Child care need to be enrolled into Schools and quickly.
• Report from China
According to a recently-published report from China, nearly 2,000 children between second to sixth standards were studied for depression and anxiety. Out of these, about 22.6 per cent children, against a previous 17.2 per cent, reported depression symptoms while 18.9 per cent, against a previous 9.3 per cent, reported anxiety symptoms after a mean 33.7 days at home.
• Case of Kerala
66 children have taken their lives during this lockdown.The state government has been the first to address this issue with ‘Chiri’, a tele-counselling initiative ,aimed at the mental well being.Other States need to follow suit,there is an urgent need for a National policy.
• Hospitals and Child Psychiatry
All Hospitals must have a specific centre to treat ,counsel and plan a program to catch children early and focus on detection and prevention.There is a need to have separate Child Psychiatry centres across all Hospitals.
• Sports and Fitness at home
Coaches need to leverage technology..Use Skype and Zoom for virtual training sessions. Kids should still try to do 60 minutes of physical activity per day-the emphasis must be on the need for a healthy mind and healthy body.
• High time the Government step's in
The Education and Medical care departments needs to conduct studies pan india ,publish reports and plan a nation wide program with a scientific approach to this problem. The greater challenge for this age group is expected with the lockdown and quarantine measures that have pushed children into crisis. Especially, when quarantine measures are strict even at home(with over protective and oaranoid parents) and in the presence of preexisting psychological or psychiatric vulnerabilities ,a variety of negative outcomes are to be expected . The COVID-19 outbreak has brought new challenges for child psychiatry and mental health services that must be addressed, including national guidelines covering interventions for major public health crises affecting children.
The constant Government and media publishing of the Covid cases,the mortalities in lakhs is creating a fear psychosis amongst children. Uncertainty ahead and fear of the unknown provokes anxiety and stress and a toll on their mental health.Its time we acknowledged and did something about it.