Answer: Children are not indifferent to the significant psychological impact of the COV ID-19 Pandemic. They experience fears, uncertainties, substantial changes to their routines, physical and social isolation alongside high level of parental stress. Understanding their emotions and responses is essential to properly address their needs during this pandemic. In this article, we highlight children’s vulnerability, provide an overview of common symptoms of distress in different age groups, and summarize the interventions and resources available to promote child mental health and wellbeing during these challenging times. We advocate that prioritizing mental health including child & adolescent mental health is an essential component of any universal, community led response to COV ID-19 Pandemic.
Keywords: Adolescents, Children, Corona virus, CO VID-19, Mental health, Pandemic
The outbreak of the Novel Coro n avir us (COV ID-19) in December 2019 started in China and it was declared a pandemic in March 2020, by World Health Organization. It has affected more than 200 countries around the world with total number of CO VID-19 patients being more than two million and number of deaths reported to be 177,338 as of 22nd April, 2020.1 Pakistan has also been affected by the pandemic with more than 14,788 patients and 322 deaths till April 28, 2020.1 Although the number of children affected by the disease is small, and most of the affected children show only mild symptoms,2 the disease and the containment measures are likely to negatively impact the mental health & well-being of children. Even though children all over the world are going to be affected, those with disabilities, living in slums, isolation centers, and conflicts zones are going to be at a greater risk. This article provides an insight into the mental health challenges faced by children in the wake of recent COVI D-19 pandemic.
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