A review on the detrimental impact of Covid- 19 pandemic on the mental health of children.

 By Chong Sueanne. 

There has been an onset of negative consequences ever since the covid-19 pandemic struck the lives of children, forcing them to live with it which is a key factor to worry about.  Although humans are social creatures, they are forced to change and adapt to online classes- leading to minimal interaction during lessons. Relating to that, the Educational and Cultural organisation has found that the closeout of schools has affected more than 862 million children in the UK which created a severe negative impact on the collaborative learning of children and creates a scenario of loneliness in the psychological mindset of children. 

Children are in a critical stage of development, so they are more vulnerable to the sudden changes caused by the pandemic. According to the surveys by UNICEF, the drastic modification of children’s routines including the lack of physical contact with other children creates a factor of depression for children in the UK. 

WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW: SIGNS OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES 

It’s not surprising that mental health issues have been on the rise in children during the pandemic given the disruption, isolation, and stress they face. It’s important that parents watch for possible signs that their child could have a mental health issue, including: 

• Aggression 

• Irritability 

• Loss of appetite 

• Withdraw from or avoid social interactions 

• Hurting oneself 

• Suicidal thoughts 

• Poor concentration 

• Sleeping disturbance 

• Extreme moods of highs and lows 

• Inability to cope with daily problems and stress 

HOW IS MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS IN CHILDREN TREATED? 

• Psychotherapy is also referred to as  “talk therapies” or “behavioural therapies”. They aid patients with mental health illnesses to alter their behaviour. For example, Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) masters how to change distorted thinking patterns and unhealthy behaviour 

• Medication- Mental health professionals may recommend medication- such as stimulants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilisers. For example, for children above the age of 7, lithium carbonate can be used to treat depression associated with bipolar disorder. Lithium aims at the excitatory glutamate neurotransmitter levels in the brain by bringing it to moderation, stabilizing moods so people taking it to have fewer manic episodes and fewer suicidal thoughts. Meanwhile, lithium also corrects dopamine dysregulation as dopamine levels increase during mania and reduce during depression. 

Meanwhile, parents could organize creative, home activities and get children to be actively involved. Do talk to your child if you have any concerns, and be calm and proactive in the conversation. If you observe any signs in your child, do seek out to health care professionals.