Both children and teenagers were already very neglected in their mental health even before the Covid-19 Pandemic, but we know that this has grown a lot because of everything they have been exposed to. That is why, since the beginning of pandemic, there have been many research carried out by important institutions about the Pandemic’s influence on the young one’s mental health. However, the damage is still immeasurable, as the pandemic has not ended and the emotional deficit that already existed previously was significantly increased over all these years.
A research submitted by Unicef (United Nations Children’s Fund) between September 2021 and January 2022 shows that children and teens will probably feel the impact of Covid-19 on their mental health for many years to come. Neuroscience specialists point out that the ages of 0 to 7 years are absorbing everything around them and recording in their unconscious – where they will stay until they get older (and that’s why the impact is yet so difficult to estimate). In the same way, children from 7 to 12 years old, who register the information in their subconscious, and from this age onwards are already able to absorb the information in their conscious, showing immediate distress.
According to the institution, studies show that at least 1 in 7 children and teenagers aged between 10 and 19 years old will be diagnosed with some mental disorder.
The social isolation measures adopted throughout all these months were essential, of course. But they pushed a distance from family and social life in an unexpected way. With these restrictions, children and teens spent a lot of time without any kind of interactions or playing, key elements of a healthy childhood development. All this caused suffering and, therefore, mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, among others.
There was an enormous loss, especially in the areas of teaching and socialization, and therefore both the responsible for the kids and/or teens and the school community, must be agile when it comes to identifying suspicious behaviors, observing signs, such as noticeable sadness, irritability, aggressiveness, mood swings, drop in school performance, changes in sleep or appetite routines, and involvement in constant fights. We, part of the school community, must practice effective listening; we must also encourage them to express their feelings and validate any exposed distress – because they are real and children, in this age group, have difficulties in showing such emotions.
Recognized cases must always be referred to assure that the right support will be provided collectively – with the involvement of the child/teen, their family, the school community, and health services with a multidisciplinary team.
It is worth mentioning that both clinical and psychological calls can be carried out in person or virtual. And, that the socio-emotional classes established on BNCC since 2018, should be implemented immediately in all schools to ease these impacts and assist in possible diagnosis.
These measures are valid for both private and public schools, especially in the state of São Paulo, where Law 17.413/21 was approved, and the Emotional Support Program for Children and Adolescents is already operating. Recognized cases must be redirected to the Health Department so that treatments are provided and carried out in equipment from the Unified Health System (SUS), in person or virtually, at the discretion of the Health Department.
Texto escrito por: Priscila Citty – Pedagoga e especializada em Inteligência Emocional e professora de Educação Socioemocional da Green Book.
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