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How the pandemic is affecting the mental health of young people - and what can you do to help them

Posted on Friday, 05 February 2021, in Child & Teen Anxiety, Child & Teen Depression, Parenting & Families

How can you support young peoples mental health in the pandemic

 

While various studies show how the COVID pandemic is affecting the mental health of adults, there has, so far, been very little research into the impact it's having on children and young people. But if we look at the small amount of research that does exist, while considering the number of new cases we’ve seen over the past year, the impact has been significant and far-reaching. 

Not only are children and young people with pre-existing mental health conditions reporting a deterioration in their mental health, but the number of children being referred with new serious mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, OCD, and eating disorders, has increased drastically. We can attribute this rise to three key areas.

 

Lost structures of support 

The usual things that help children take a break from their home environment have mostly been forced to shut. All over the country, schools, youth clubs and even places of worship are closed, meaning the structures we have in place to encourage learning and socialisation have been removed. The effects of being trapped indoors will be significant, with many feeling extremely isolated.

  

Futures put on hold

For many young people, that first taste of independence couldn’t feel further away. Moving away from home, starting university, graduating, getting their foot on the career ladder - these important rites of passage have mostly been put on hold.

According to the OECD, under-25s are over twice as likely to be unemployed than those aged 26 to 64. The closure of schools, colleges and universities has led young people to spend significant periods in isolation, heightening the stress and pressure they find themselves under and contributing to the overwhelming feeling of powerlessness. This is shown in the 2021 Youth Index, in which more than half of 16 to 25-year-olds reported 'always or often' feeling anxious.

 

Increased pressure on families

Parents have been tasked with new roles and responsibilities as they deal with increased COVID care duties. For some, despite their best efforts, the challenge of being a full-time carer and part-time educator, all while trying to manage their own careers, is just too much. 

Many parents are struggling under high levels of uncertainty and stress, and this has led to an increase in abuse in some cases, both in terms of children experiencing abuse directly or witnessing abuse and conflict at home. Many marriages have become unhappy and unsettled, which has had a knock-on effect on children and young people, with many feeling scared and stuck in situations they cannot escape.

There's a concern that the pandemic could lead to a lost generation, with young people developing life-long issues with anxiety and depression.

Looking at other major outbreaks, such as SARS in 2003, would suggest that the longer-term effects on mental health will only be lifelong for a small percentage of young people. But in truth, it's too early to predict what will happen because the coronavirus pandemic is unprecedented.

 

So how can parents help?

If you’re a parent or carer of children or young people, it's completely normal to be concerned. Here are three practical tips I often share with families that can help manage and rationalise feelings of stress and anxiety in children and young people.

 

Talk openly

For parents worried their child might feel anxious, it’s important to encourage them to talk openly and honestly about their feelings. As a parent or carer, you are best placed to judge when and where your child will likely open up to you. It’s about creating the time and space to allow that to happen. 

Instead of giving them guarantees, try to help them understand the situation. Be as transparent as possible while being mindful of what they can handle for their age. Remember, children are experts at spotting when their parents are disingenuous.

Also, remember that not everyone is comfortable talking about their feelings, and some children won’t know or will always be able to articulate what’s happening inside. If this happens, try not to be disheartened. Instead, try another approach. 

Sitting with your child and writing down their thoughts is another way to help ease their worry. We call this ‘journaling’, which can be a great way to manage and rationalise anxieties. 

 

Listen and provide validation 

When your child does open up, show you’re listening to them and validate their experience and concerns. Our protective parental instincts often mean we want to jump in and quash any worries as soon as they’re vocalised but try not to dismiss them or make light of them. Using language like, “I hear what you’re saying and understand how you’re feeling”, can be helpful and reassuring. Simply feeling like they’ve had space to voice their worries - and that they’ve been heard - can help to alleviate some of their stress.

You can help them process and normalise anxiety by letting them know it’s okay to feel this way, particularly given the current situation. A practical tip I often share with parents is for them to draw a ‘roadmap’ with their child to help them visualise what’s coming up over the next few weeks. For example, giving them things to look forward to in the immediate future, at the weekend, or planning their favourite meals, games, walks or calls with friends. Try to stick to these as best you can, as this will help them to feel reassured in the short term.

 

Make time for exercise

Aside from the many physical health benefits it brings, there's growing evidence that moderate to vigorous exercise also helps reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in children and young people. This is because physical activity can release "feel-good" chemicals in the brain, known as endorphins. Playing outside with friends may not be an option right now, but there are many different online options, such as the Body Coach’s  five-minute move workout for kids or Rainbow Yoga with Adrienne. 

 

Encourage them to stay connected

Encourage your child to maintain regular contact with others outside the immediate family unit where possible. Suggest an old-fashioned phone call if they feel ‘Zoomed out’. Younger children, in particular, may enjoy writing a letter or drawing a picture and posting it to their friends and grandparents.

Although it may sound counterintuitive, playing video games can benefit children’s mental health. This isn’t a carte blanche pass for unlimited screen time, but it can provide an excellent way for children and young people to connect with friends and peers. It’s where many socialise and get some much-needed respite from the day-to-day stressors in moderation.

Simon Shattock

Simon Shattock Systemic Family & Couple Psychotherapist MA, BA

Simon has over 15 years’ experience working in the NHS child and family services and more recently has become a Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Family Therapy with an interest in organisational change and service development. Simon’s current clinical work is as a Lead Family and Systemic Therapist at an Adolescent Unit, providing systemic interventions for adolescents and their families, as well as supervising colleagues working with families.