Confronting the Unexpected- Mental Health of children during COVID-19

                                                               For Your Amigos Foundation, Authored by Mariam Mani

It was all cool until the beginning of 2020; everyone was busy scheduling programs, meetings, trips, marriages, and many more.  People looked forward to leading the year 2020 and they had more innovative plans for their life. They had high expectations for the fancy number ‘2020’. But everything turned upside down. It was an unexpected situation where people had to leave everything which they enjoyed.

THE OUTBREAK!

 The novel coronavirus outbreak, which began in Wuhan, China, in December, has expanded to touch nearly every corner of the globe. Hundreds and thousands of people around the world have been infected and lost lives. (Schumaker, 24) No one had anticipated the crisis the virus could cause. People thought that it would be contained in China, and started naming it as ‘Chinese Virus’. The outbreak of the virus was shocking news for all.  Flights were canceled, nearly all public transportation was brought to a halt, and eventually, small businesses, restaurants, and malls shut down, schools, colleges, and companies had to stop working and the government declared a complete lockdown, leaving people to sit idle in their homes. Nothing but this was the only way to prevent the virus from community infection. It was difficult for people to even think that a situation like this is happening around them. Social media and video calls were the only sources of escapism. The World Health Organization has declared the virus a global health emergency and rated COVID-19's global risk of spread and impact as "very high," the most serious designation the organization gives.

LOCKED IN…!

Initial days were like a rest period for everyone. People were happy to sit at home as most were given paid leaves. As for students, exams were called off and vacations had come early this year! People had to work from home, but it was okay! They could at least sit at home and need not travel. They enjoyed family time really well. And for some folks out there this time gave rise to finding out their new talents. Slowly all the joy started to vanish as the days of lockdown were extended. People were getting bored with the same routine and the same place.

IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC

Within months, India was suffering from a massive mental health crisis due to various situations that have arisen due to COVID-19. People are facing unemployment, alcohol abuse, economic hardship, domestic violence, and indebtedness. This affects most of the population’s vulnerable and marginalized groups. According to a survey conducted by the Indian Psychiatry Society, within a week of the start of the lockdown, the number of reported cases of mental illness in India had risen by 20%. (naik, 2020)

People with no history of mental illness started developing serious psychological problems for the first time as a result of the lockdown, because of growing stresses over isolation, job insecurity, relationship breakdown, etc. Adults and children are having psychotic episodes, mania, and depression. (Campbell, 2020)

WHAT ABOUT THE YOUNGER POPULATION?

Vulnerable young people could be at greater risk of mental health problems because of lengthy school closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. Children and teenagers across the country have had to cope with schools suddenly closing, the cancellation of exams, and a prohibition of their playtime and face-to-face interactions with friends. A lack of structure and routine is already taking its toll on young people’s mental health.  (Busby, 2020)

For younger children, the opportunity to play face-to-face, to be tactile, and to be close has disappeared overnight, and that is a huge loss to them – and suddenly they have been thrown into an online world.

Current studies indicate the confirmed number of cases globally is 858,669 the number of deaths is 42,151. Studies so far indicate that the pandemic could have negative effects on children’s physical due to potential prolonged school closure and home containment.  (Aten, 2020)

SUGGESTION TO RESOLVE

Home confinement restricts children from their normal lifestyles which have effects on their physical and mental health. Since children are constantly exposed to COVID-19 related news could make the children more anxious and put them into a panic.

Ø In this situation, parents need to create direct conversations with children about these issues to avoid panic and reduce anxiety. This could also create opportunities to develop close and open communication with children so that any physical and psychological concerns can be addressed easily without stigma.

Ø  It’s important that the health authorities establish multidisciplinary mental health taskforce teams compromised of professional psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, clinical psychologists, and other mental health workers at regional and national levels to provide mental health support to patients. Professionals with specialized skills should collaborate and work to bring specialized treatments and appropriate mental health services to families and patients, including those who have been isolated.

CONCLUSION

Worries and anxiety about COVID-19 and its impact can be overwhelming. This is a hard time that everyone is going through. Most of the population is stressed about various matters. It is important to give importance to mental health especially, children as they are the future generation.