As restrictions continue with the continued surge of COVID-19 cases worldwide, it's important that we pay close attention to the mental health and wellbeing of not only ourselves but also the people we care about, especially our children.
Actually, the pandemic has had a great impact on our mental health, particularly vulnerable groups that include children, as the study, "Rapid Systematic Review: The Impact of Social Isolation and Loneliness on the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents in the Context of COVID-19" revealed and as published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
How COVID-19 Affects the Mental Health of Kids
Children and young people would feel anxious or worried about a variety of things. As the virus lingers, our kids are forced to stay at home, and their routines would change, making them see friends and family differently.
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They would experience someone close to them such as a family member, relative, a friend becoming seriously ill, dying, or had succumbed to the virus. This can lead to feelings of grief, sadness, and loss.
The risk of having a psychiatric condition increases sharply for young people who face social isolation from ages five to 11, which describes nearly all children in this age group over the past months. Added risk comes from having emotional problems during the primary school years, which includes the massive number of kids affected by the COVID-19 restrictions.
Measures to Help Parents Address their Kids' Mental Health Issues
As such, parents play a crucial role in helping their children cope. Psychologist Dr. Seth Gillihan revealed on Psychology Today measures parents can follow to help their kids address their mental health problems during COVID.
1. There's No Need to Panic
Gillihan said there is no need to panic. It can be terrifying to think that our children are already struggling with depression and anxiety and we add to it with our own. Thus, we need to stay calm and composed, keeping our emotional stability in check for their sake, as noted in the study, "Enduring Mental Health: Prevalence and Prediction" published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology.
2. Start a Conversation
Gillihan noted that parents and caregivers must talk to their children, and speaking openly about any topic that interests your child, but always delve into the importance of emotional and mental health during the pandemic. Parents, he added, should assure children that it's okay, to be honest about their struggles.
3. Mind Your Own Mental and Emotional Health
Gillihan said we should show how we care for ourselves, emotionally and mentally, during these challenging times While having a relative who suffers from psychiatric conditions could increase the risk of mental health issues in our children, due to similar genes, but Gillihan said the key is still minding our own mental health for our children's sake.
4. Push Healthy Practices
Gillihan emphasized that parents take a crucial role in reinforcing our children's mental health. As such they should follow and promote healthy habits for the Mind, Body, and Spirit. This includes freeing our thoughts from negativity, relaxing by being one with nature, and practicing mindfulness to reduce stress. Such inner peace is what we can pass on to our children, Gillihan said.
As we support our kids in overcoming negative thinking, handling stress, and finding moments of peace, Gillihan emphasized that we'll not only help them endure challenging emotions but also help strengthen their coping skills that will last the rest of their lives.
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