How has 2021 been on kid’s Mental Health due to the “new normal lifestyle”

by Dr. Himani Narula

Covid-19 pandemic in last couple of years has been a radical health crisis that has changed our lifestyle in various ways and has impacted the mental health of individuals in all age groups. Pandemic, lockdown, and quarantines have caused a substantial shift in lifestyles. The new normal lifestyle where children are staying back home, having limited social interactions, reduced physical activity, prolonged school closures, learned through online modes, not being able to indulge in hobby classes, sports trainings etc., are some of the pertinent problems during these times which has caused a significant setback in their development during the pandemic.

Children of frontline workers are put through separation anxiety and excessive worry. Quarantined children or children studying in institutions away from their families were more vulnerable to adverse psychological impact. Many children have lost their one or both parents to Covid and had to live in foster homes, suffer from loneliness, grief and are also susceptible to post-traumatic stress disorder. Toddlers who have been exposed to excessive screen hours, poor environmental stimulation and limited social interactions are reporting with signs of social communication delays, speech delays, social anxiety, and maladaptive behaviors. School closures and closures of Anganwadi’s in the rural areas, where there is no access to online schooling has amplified the existing problems of malnutrition, school dropouts, child abuse and child labor.

The electronic media did come as a rescue to home confinements but with a baggage of its drawbacks. Toddlers, children, and adolescents exposed to prolonged screen hours have fell pray to screen addiction, increased eye strains, behavioral problems, inattention, social communication delay, are now finding it difficult to readapt post the crisis. School age children and teenagers who have been withdrawn from external world for long has amplified depression, anxiety, inattention, dropped academic performances, learning problems.

It is time that we start implementing programs and measure to mend these challenges faced by our kids. Mental health screening and surveillance programs, early intervention programs must be drafted and implemented at the community and government level. Parent training on improving their parenting skills to help build an understanding, responsive and protective environment at home. Role modelling the right coping strategies, cognitive based empathy building for grown-up children can help build self-esteem, self-efficacy and a responsible attitude towards self and society.

Let us listen, understand, reassure, and make our children feel loved. Spending quality time with children, talking to them about their emotions and feelings, helping them with daily routines, enjoying some fun activities together can alleviate their anxiety and stress. Awareness about early identification of red flags in the development and behaviors of children can facilitate timely intervention. The Covid-19 impact on mental health of children is going to last longer. Investing time and energy in building better emotional health and teaching emotional hygiene to our kids can help them cope better with the changing times. Working towards building secure and resilient next generation will be the future of the world.

Dr. Himani Narula, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician, Director & Co-founder of Continua kids

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