The Effect of COVID-19 and Mental Health Part 4 of 4
In the final part of our effect of COVID-19 and mental health series, we will take a closer look at the things children and teenagers experience and how to best help them.
Not all children respond the same to stress and there are many ways your child may act depending on the age.
What are symptoms of stress in a child?
- Crying or acting out more
- Avoidance of things they’ve enjoyed in the past
- Experience unexplained headaches or body pain
- Substance use
- Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits
Remember that a lot of how a child reacts is how they see their parent react. If a parent is more calm and confident that will restore the confidence in their child.
What can you do?
Keep your child be physically and socially active
- Encourage them to go outside and take walks together or a bike ride. Physical activity is very healthy for everyone’s mental health.
- Some younger children benefit from indoor activities like stretching or dance.
- Video chat with friends and family
- Write letters or make cards to mail to loved ones
Its also important to talk to your children and leave an open line of communication so they’re comfortable asking questions and expressing any fear. Another common theme causing stress and anxiety is having access to the media. Limit time watching the news; children can easily misinterpret what they hear. Instead seek out news from reliable sources that are not necessarily based on ratings. Some of these sites include the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization.
There are also mental health professionals available to work with you or your children during this stressful time and emotional online support groups. Our caring counselors, clinicians and psychiatric professionals will be with you every step of your journey. Learn more about our mental health programs.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/children.html
