29/08/2021
𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗗 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗸𝗶𝗱𝘀 - 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿?
The lockdowns are having a huge impact on our children’s mental health. From toddlers to teenagers, they are affecting children of all ages.
It’s not just anecdotal, there are plenty of alarming statistics to show us that children’s mental health is suffering.
💔Mental health hospital admissions were up 43% in children compared to last year.
💔Emergency department presentations for self harm and su***de attempts were up 30%.
While these numbers mostly reflect the adolescent population, we also know it is having an impact on younger children too. There has been an exponential rise in GP presentations with parents voicing concerns about changes in their children’s behaviour.
There are many factors contributing to this increase:
- Loss of routine
- Isolation from friends
- No sports (a huge physical and mental release for a lot of children)
- Constant media coverage focusing on increasing case numbers, deaths, pressure on hospitals etc, not to mention the stories about children being “left vulnerable and put at risk with no vaccine”
- Hearing parents and other family members talking about the pandemic and the impact it is having on them from health, social and financial perspectives.
- Fear of losing a loved one
𝗦𝗼, 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱?
Some of the key signs that they might be struggling h with their mental health include:
❗️A change in behaviours - this could acting out or becoming more reserved.
❗️Aggression towards family members
❗️Isolating from family, such as avoiding meal times
❗️Change in sleep
❗️Change in appetite
❗️Loss of interest in usual hobbies
If you notice any of these signs - please don’t ignore them. Don’t think “it’s a phase”.
Have that conversation.
This message isn’t just for parents, but for grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins and friends too.
(Tips on what you can do to help coming soon)
