Precautions to Protect Children's Mental Health During the Pandemic

Coronavirus outbreak affects not only parents but also children. Children staying at home due to school closures and lockdowns can be negatively affected psychologically during this period. Noting that parents providing psychological support needed by their children during the coronavirus outbreak is a very important factor, Liv Hospital Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist Prof. Dr. Seher Akbaş offered parents advice to reduce stress for children.

Family support is crucial at this stage

Family support is a very important factor for all psychological complaints and problems. This means that children with good parental support and care are more protected and resilient against psychological effects from stressful life events. For this reason, during the coronavirus outbreak, parents need to provide psychological support to their children in addition to only taking care of themselves and their own life routines. During this period of living together without going outside, children's psychological well-being will actually make parents' daily life burdens easier. Otherwise, anxious, sad, fearful, irritable, and poorly adapted children will make it difficult to establish healthy balance and harmony in the closed home environment. - Try to maintain a routine and normal daily life as much as possible. - Limit television watching or restrict access to information on the internet and social media. - Take breaks; take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news, including on social media. - Provide realistic information to your child about the illness; this can help reduce anxiety. - Stay connected with friends and family (extended family members) by phone. - Try to stick to regular routines. Create a schedule for learning activities and relaxing or fun activities. - For younger children, learn and practice new games. (Games involving role-playing, imitation, storytelling, game creation, etc.). Do practical activities such as puzzles, coloring, and drawing. - Practice handwriting and grammar by writing letters to family members. This is one of the best ways to reduce close contact. - Help your child write cards or letters to family members they cannot visit. - Help your child reach friends and family members via phone or video chat. - While connecting with others yourself, enable your child to also connect with friends and maintain social relationships and sharing. (Talk to people you trust about your concerns and how you feel; if possible, create opportunities for your child to talk with your relatives and friends online or by phone). - Pay attention to your own and your child's physical health. Try to eat healthy, balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and ensure your child does the same. - Get information about approaches that protect your own and your child's mental health (learn about negative psychological effects; seek professional advice if necessary). - If stress is affecting your or your child's daily life, contact your mental health specialist.