COVID-19: Children’s Mental Health Matters Too
Children’s Mental Health During COVID
According to Childrens.com
“The pandemic has been difficult, especially for kids who already struggle with depression and anxiety,” says Brooke Gomez, LPC, a clinical therapist at Children’s Health℠. “One of the things we advocate for mental health is reaching out, socializing and leaning on a social support system. But because of COVID-19, now we’re telling families to do the opposite and stay socially distanced, to protect their physical health.”
Kids may also be experiencing disappointment or grief about losing time with friends or missed milestones like graduations, school dances, sporting events or other extracurricular activities. One national survey of 3,300 high school students conducted early in the pandemic showed that 30% felt unhappy and depressed much more than usual. As the pandemic continues, those feelings may persist or deepen.
“Many kids are grieving a loss of a sense of normalcy,” Gomez says.
How Can We Support Our Child’s Mental Health?
Check in routinely
Make it a habit to check in with your children on a regular basis and see how they’re doing and how their day is going. Make these discussions a part of your everyday routine, either at dinnertime or right before the kids go to bed.
Listening and validating
If your child shows sadness or worry, avoid the temptation to “fix” the issue right away. Instead, tell them that it’s okay – and even understandable – for them to be feeling this way right now.
Focus children’s attention on what they can control.
One way to help children cope with stress and anxiety during the pandemic is to direct their attention to aspects of their lives that they can influence right now.
Our Short “Mental Health” Recovery Trip
8 Comments
Rowena Callo Villareno
It’s really important to be aware of our children’s mental health. Mental Health really matters becauseit can give a negative impact to our children. Let’s give a quality time to our children and try asking them what they are going through.
Hyun Jang Nim
I agree po, hirap din talaga ang mga bata ngayong pandemic dahil bago sa kanila tong ganitong scenario. We really need to monitor their welfare and have an open communication with them. Para aware tayo sa nararamdaman nila, their mental health is vital. I like the tips that you have listed, very helpful po. I’m glad that you and jop had a bonding moments outside para naman mawala yung cabin fever nia, matagal tagal na din kasing indoor ang set up ng kids kaya di talaga maiiwasan.
Jenny Labutap
so nice naman po neto and very helpful pa para maging aware tayo sa mental health ng mga kids
Chriss Tabamo
Thankyou for this po. Napaka laking tulong po nito. Lalo na ngayon need talaga natin tanungin ang mga anak natin kung ano ba ang nararamdaman nila.. Dahil ang laking adjustment ang nangyari sa kanila simula nung nagka pandemic.. Gusto kopo ang mga tips nyo . Para kahit papaano makatulong kami sa mga anak namin.. Pero kahit nandito lang po kami sa loob ng bahay ipinaparamdam ko padin sa anak ko ang oras na gusto nya.. Ang atensyon na gusto nya.. At ang oras na dapat maibigay sa kanya..
Michelle Salazar
Thank you po dito Mommy Kaycee. Sa totoo lang yung panganay ko he’s 10 years old na,minsan nasabi nya sakin na namimiss nya na yung dati nyang mga nagagawa like pumasok sa school at maglaro sa labas. Kaya minsan na bobored na sya sa bahay. Maliit lng po bahay namin kaya wala din mpwestuhan para makapaglaro sya ng maayos. Buti nlng kahit papano nawawala pagkabagot nya kapag nilalaro nya ung bunso nyang kapatid.
owenbondocponce
It’s an important thing into consideration our kids mental health,they are actually , needed it’s most ,to give extra effort and time to them
Jenny Labutap
I agree that childrens mental health are also matters. Napakahalaga po talaga na malaman natin kung ano ung nararamdaman nila lalo na ngayong pandemic naging challenging din sa kanila dahil hindi sila na nakakalabas ng bahay and hindi na din nakakapaglaro with their friends and namimiss nila ang school kaya we should always check our kids and tell them that we love them and mag open up sila ng feelings nila satin. And we need to treat them sometimes para makapag chill sila ?
Jay-ann
Minsan nakakalimutan ko ding tanungin ang anak ko or kumustahin sya naririnig ko na din sa kanya na gusto na dw nyang bumalik sa school dahil miss na dw nya mga friends nya don naiinip na dw sya dito sa bahay,dapat pala talagang 100% tayong nka subaybay sa kanila the best way yong nakikipag usap ka sa kanya para malaman mo kong ano na mga nararamdaman nya .Thank you for sharing it with us Mamsh.