Summer 2021 Publication

followed by worship centers (26%) and
online services (23%).
When compared to adults, the pandemic
and lockdown have a stronger influence
on emotional and social development in
young children and adolescents. In one of
the earliest studies conducted during the
pandemic, it was discovered that younger
children(ages 3-6) were more prone than
older children to exhibit symptoms of
clinginess and fear of family members
becoming sick(ages 6-18). The older
children, on the other hand, were more
prone to inattention and were constantly
questioning about COVID-19. Regardless
of their age, all children displayed serious
psychological disorders such as increased
irritability, inattention, and clinging behavior.⁴
According to the results of the
parent-completed questionnaires, children
in today's world feel insecure, afraid,
and lonely. Disturbed sleep, nightmares,
poor eating, irritability, inattention, and
separation-related anxiety were also
reported by adolescents.
Pre-lockdown learning for children and
teenagers involved a significant amount
of one-on-one engagements and attention
with mentors and peer groups that was
simply not possible during the pandemic.
Over 91 percent of the world's student
population has been significantly
impacted by nationwide school and
institution closures. Children and
adolescents who are confined to their
homes experience uncertainty and
anxiety as a result of disruptions in their
education, physical activity, and
socialization opportunities. The absence
of a structured educational setting for an
extended period of time causes disruption
in routine, boredom, and a lack of
inventive ideas and engagement when
participating in various academic and
extracurricular activities. Not being able
to play outside, meet friends, or
participate in in-person school events has
had a negative impact on some children.
Because of the long-term change in their
routine, these children have grown more
clingy, attention-seeking, and reliant on
their parents. It's expected that children
may avoid returning to school once the
40| SUMMER 2021
lockdown is lifted, and that they may
have trouble reestablishing contact with
their mentors once the schools reopen. As
a result, the constraint of their movement
may have a long-term negative impact on
their psychological well-being.
The rates of attempted and completed
suicides among adolescents, particularly
teenagers, are increasing alarmingly,
according to hospital providers across the
United States. Since the pandemic began,
19 children have died from suicide in just
one Las Vegas school district.⁵ Clinicians
have highlighted the growing number of
pediatric patients in hospitals across the
country with suicide ideation as having
"worse mental states" than similar
patients prior to the pandemic.
These developments highlight the critical
significance of youth outreach, creative
intervention, and support during these
difficult times. “Mental health clinicians
must continue to push to ensure that
families and children receive the mental
health support they require to support
resilience, reduce family conflict and
child maltreatment, and reduce risktaking,
unsafe, and harmful behaviors,”
according to the previous study.⁵
COVID-19 has been linked to teenage
mental health problems, particularly the
dread of COVID-19 in a population with
adequate exposure to COVID-19, which
has been shown to cause anxiety and
depression. Adolescents who had
previously suffered trauma combined with
social isolation and loneliness were more
likely to develop these negative feelings
both during and after the enforced
seclusion ended. On the other hand,
several protective factors have been
discovered that can assist teenagers in
combating negative mental health effects
caused by COVID-19. Physicalpsychosocial
support, adequate
information about COVID-19 from
reputable sources, and a strong desire to
comply with physical distance have all
been proven to reduce the risk of
unfavorable mental health changes in
teenagers. A psychiatrist, pediatrician,
parents, or other parties who accompany
or care for teenagers might use this
methodology to improve awareness of
mental health changes and reduce the
negative consequences in the future. Further
research is needed to uncover other
factors that may be linked to mental
health problems in children and teens.
References
[1] Major depression. National Institute of
Mental Health. Updated February 2019.
Accessed online February 7, 2021.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statisti
cs/major-depression.shtml.
[2] Hertz MF, Barrios LC. Adolescent
mental health, COVID-19, and the value
of school-community partnerships. Inj
Prev. 2021;27(1):85-86.
doi:10.1136/injuryprev-2020-044050.
[3] Rogers AA, Ha T, Ockey S.
Adolescents’ perceived socio-emotional
impact of COVID-19 and implications for
mental health: results from a U.S.-based
mixed-methods study. J Adolesc Health.
2021;68(1):43-52.
doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.09.039
[4] Liang L, Ren H, Cao R, et al. The
effect of COVID-19 on youth mental
health. Psychiatr Q. 2020;91(3):841-852.
doi:10.1007/s11126-020-09744-3.
[5] Chatterjee R. Make space, listen,
offer hope: How to help a suicidal teen or
child. NPR. Published online February 2,
2021. Accessed online February 7, 2021.
https://www.npr.org/sections/healthshots/2021/02/02/962185779/makespace-listen-offer-hope-how-to-help-achild-at-risk-of-suicide.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eric is an incoming high school senior
who is interested in studying medicine.
He is a passionate and determined
individual who believes in the importance
of highlighting key public health issues.
Eric enjoys playing basketball, writing,
and is an advocate for mental health.