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The current scenario is indeed an unprecedented time for all of us. As all of us struggle with our own worries and anxieties, we forget that our children are really facing an enormous disruption to their lives too. Some of us might believe that with the schools being closed, no studies and the whole day to play – what more could the kids ask for?
But really, it’s not so. Read below to find out more:
Impact of COVID-19 crisis on children’s mental health-
Children are susceptible to confusion and fear and this can include the types of fears that are very similar to those experienced by adults, such as a fear of falling sick or dying, or a fear of losing their loved ones out of sickness or death due to this mysterious illness.
Besides major fears like this, even minor disruptions in their lives cause a great deal of stress and anxiety in children. Schools have closed as a part of necessary measures, therefore children no longer have that sense of structure and stimulation that is provided by that environment, and now they have less opportunity to be with their friends and get that social support that is essential for good mental well-being.
Young children need constant stimulation to maintain their energy levels and attention spans. Smaller houses also mean lesser space for outdoor play and other physical activities in the lockdown.
Elders trying to cope with their own anxieties during the lockdown may also communicate a sense of anxiety to the children.
Little children who are now unable to enjoy simple activities like going to their favorite restaurant or foregoing an ice cream may also lead to sadness besides being worried about the larger issues that the elders talk about amongst themselves.
Constant reprimands for proper handwashing, maintaining hygiene may lead to irritability in children.
The kids finding their parents at home throughout the day just like on a holiday or vacation might make them hope for more & most parents who are working from home might not be able to fit into their children’s expectations of spending a great amount of time with them. Children may find that they want to be closer to their parents, make more demands on them, and, in turn, some parents or caregivers may be under undue pressure themselves.
Young children may find the changes that have taken place difficult to understand and both young and older children may express irritability and anger.
What are the Signs of Psychological distress in children?
Not all children respond to stress in the same way. Some common changes to watch for include:
Excessive crying or irritation in younger children.
Reduced attention span
Returning to behaviours they have outgrown (for example, thumb sucking or bedwetting.
Excessive worry or sadness
Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits
Withdrawn behaviours like keeping quiet or keeping to themselves unlike previously.
Aggressive behaviour manifests in the use of abusive language/throwing-breaking household items.
Excessive demands and temper tantrums.
Somatic complaints such as unexplained headaches or body pain.
A child can feel clingy
A child may feel sad and worried
Regressive behaviors demonstrate fear and anxiety
How can you as parents help your children cope with the psychological challenges/effects of COVID-19:
Take time to talk with your child about the COVID-19 outbreak
Most children will have heard about COVID-19, seen something on TV, or heard friends or teachers talk about the illness. Others may have overheard you talking about it. There is a lot of misinformation out there, so don’t assume that they know specifics about the situation or that the information they have is correct.
Answer questions and share facts about COVID-19 in a way that your child can understand. Explain that the germs causing COVID-19 are like ones that cause a cold. Remind them that these illnesses can spread easily, but that they can also be prevented, which is why we need to wash our hands, use tissues, and use sanitizers.
Kids thrive on routine:
Try to keep to daily schedules as typical as always, even if you are quarantined at home. If schools are closed, create a schedule for learning activities and relaxing or fun activities. Structure a day for your child that replicates a school day. Set them a timetable with start and end times, with breaks in between. Map out the learning they will be doing.
maintaining a daily routine inspires security
Get the creativity flowing:
draw, paint, create a craft
Give your kids art supplies such as crayons, colored pencils, markers, or paints to create showpieces for your home. Put the artwork on your fridge or hang them around your house and host your very own art show. By involving your kids in art and craft, you’ll not only be helping them pass the time easily but you’ll also be giving wings to their creativity.
Have an amazing time exploring the world of books:.
read, read and read some more…
Choose any book of interest. Read aloud or listen to an audiobook. Discuss what has been read. Ask your child which character he liked, what was his/her favorite part of the book. This would help in developing the critical thinking skills of the child.
Engage children in fun activities:
like finding differences in the two images, jigsaw puzzles, or letter cancellations which would require children and parents to cross out specific letters in the newspaper in a given time span. Such activities would help in developing the attention skills of the child and at the same time act as a family-bonding exercise.
weight lifting, horseback riding, wrist wrestling and so much more
Use media for social connection:
using the internet and social media wisely can make a host of differences.
Social distancing can be isolating. If kids are missing their school friends or other families, try video chats or social media to stay in touch.
Try a new no-flame cooking recipe:
make dinner as a family; find recipes and tips for cooking with children safely.
Engage in offline fun activities:
monopoly, uno, carrom, and more
engage in activities that help the family relax and communicate such as playing board games or uno/ludo?snakes and ladders or making your own board game.
Listen:
I am all ears!
We all know that children ask a lot of questions and as parents one can easily zone out ignoring the constant nagging sounds of “Mummy, mummy, muuummmmy!…look what I can…” (Daddies get it too), However, it is always important, but more so now during these time of uncertainty that our children feel heard, so practice active listening skills “Yes son/daughter, that’s great, I need to think about this, I’ll answer you when I’ve found out the answer”.
Lastly, let them know that they are ” Our Earth’s Superheroes ” as they follow the lockdown and help mankind defeat the enemy – coronavirus from within their homes!
we are the world, we are the children we are the ones who make a brighter day … just you and me..!
The nationwide lockdown/ curfew has been dominating our lives since the Hon’ble Prime Minister took to this seemingly difficult decision. Tough not just for the Government but for each one of us. Ushering in many perceived difficulties, one of them being boredom and solitude.
The fear of being to myself or of being left alone. In the times of “FOMO” (fear of missing out), it is a catastrophe in itself. Many persons have contacted our team of mental health professionals to seek assistance or solutions for the fear of being to oneself or social distancing. The people seem to be rightly worried about emotional fallouts of social distancing.
Here we are sharing some of the suggestions to fight the emotional void caused by current times.
A. Tell yourselves that this social distancing is NECESSARY/ INEVITABLE/ PURPOSIVE/ HELPFUL
and take pride in being a part of a nationwide movement against a deadly killer on the prowl. Know that you are a part of the fighters. You are supporting a large legion of professionals like Doctors, Nurses, etc who are fighting the virus hands-on in the battlefront.
How to survive and thrive in Corona times
and the above thought, on a lighter note!
B. THIS TOO SHALL PASS….
like dark nights and rough seas, please be sure this too shall pass. This is a timed phenomenon and we shall come out stronger.
C. Connect to family & friends living with you.
In the hustle-bustle of daily life, in the rat race of life to nowhere… Yes, times like these are good moments to connect to one another living under the same roof, spouse, children, parents, sibling, roommates, or neighbor living across the lawn or balcony.
Take a moment out to know one another and discover a life that we all have been yearning for all this time.
D. Use virtual world/ social media fruitfully.
Grab a snack and a drink and have a video conference party. YAY…
We have been using social media and virtual connectivity all this while. Let’s not neglect or overlook talking to one another and being connected all this while. Show your dance moves to your friends, show a magic trick. May have a competition or tombola over Skype. Last I heard David Warner was making a Tik Tok video with Kane Williamson 🙂
E. Connect to self
Be a better friend, a better person, a better partner to you. Now is a good time to indulge in yourselves.
F. Pursue a hobby and do what you have always wanted to do-
I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO PAINT…..
I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO EXERCISE…
I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO YOGA…
I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO READ A BOOK…
I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO WRITE A BOOK…
I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO WATCH THAT SHOW….
G. Relax… take a pit stop, reassess your life journey and path, where are you headed.
Who are you?
Where are you going?
Go on an existential quest and recalibrate life once again.
A workshop was organized by the Zoology department in Kalindi College, East Patel Nagar New Delhi on the topic of Mental Health Empowerment in Youth.
The team of Psychiatrists and Psychologists – Dr. Paramjeet Singh, Dr. Sugandha Gupta, Mrs. Nikita Jain – from Delhi Mind Clinic delivered lectures and were felicitated at the event.
Mental health in youth is often ignored, despite the research highlighting the alarming prevalence of the same in our country. Dr. Paramjeet Singh, our Consulting Neuropsychiatrist talked to the enthusiastic students about various myths prevalent in society regarding mental illness, explained briefly symptoms and signs of common mental illness in the youth, and countered the stigma regarding the same.
“Women’s mental health” – the need of the hour. Dr. Sugandha Gupta, our Director and Senior Psychiatrist talked to the young females on the relevant topic of” gender sensitization”. The discussion was focused on learning how various gender stereotypes prevalent in our society play a crucial role in imparting a woman’s mental health. The session was interactive and enlightening for female students.
Mrs. Nikita Jain our consulting Psychologist talked to the students about the raging topic today- “Depression and Suicide in the Young.” Depression in younger people is often swept under the carpet by the family and Society. However, untreated depression can have an adverse impact on an individual’s academic, career, relationships, and physical health. The right support at the right time can prevent a tragedy like suicide.
Depression is the most common cause of suicide amongst all mental illnesses. People who have attempted suicide earlier are more likely to proceed to completed suicide. Know more regarding this year’s theme -“Suicide Prevention” from our experts.
Suicide is defined as an act by which a person intentionally ends his or her own life. Each suicide is a tragedy! As an estimate, close to 8 lakh people die of suicide alone each year. For every person who commits suicide, there are at least 20 as many who attempt but survive.
The Indian data is even more alarming. As per the India State -level research study, 2016; it was found that whereas India contributes only 18% to the global population, the rates for suicide contributed globally are 37% by Indian women and 24% by Indian men. Not only this, majority of this number falls within the age bracket of 15 – 39 years which are the most productive years of any person’s life.
There are many contributers to suicide.
Mental health reasons: depression accounts for almost half of all suicides. Besides, substance use, schizophrenia, personality disorders, insomnia, OCD, PTSD and others are also known to increase the risk.
Physical health reasons : chronic pain syndromes, prolonged diseases like kidney ailments needing hemodialysis, HIV, cancer and others.
Socio-economic reasons: feelings of loss, financial stressors, relationship issues, unemployment amongst many others.
Besides these, a prior history of suicide attempt, a family history of completed suicide also increase the risk manifold.
Despite the alarming numbers, it’s important to note that suicide is a preventable public health problem. So, creating awareness and alleviating stigma can help people in distress seek timely support and recover from their challenges.
