New Delhi: The Covid pandemic has had an impact on the mental health of children, and parents or other relatives must watch their behaviour and encourage them to communicate their concerns, says a top psychiatrist.
Dr Rajesh Sagar, Professor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences’ Department of Psychiatry, and Member, Central Mental Health Authority, also called for arranging a safe and fun-filled environment for them so they can engage in various activities.
“Children are delicate – physically as well as psychologically. Any form of stress, worry, or trauma can affect them deeply and lead to long-lasting repercussions. The pandemic has altered their normal activities – their schools are shut, the education has shifted to online and their interaction with peers is restricted and limited. Besides, there are some who have lost one or both parents or relatives or caregivers.”
“All these factors can affect the mental wellbeing of children, depriving them of the emotionally fulfilling environment, important for their normal growth and development.”
The impact of the pandemic on children cannot be addressed with direct questions; caregivers need to be gentle while communicating with children as they may be unaware of what is happening to them internally. So, it is important to encourage usage of creative ways in understanding them but communicate directly when discussing difficult topics, like infection, death, and so on, he added.