By Deborah C. Gerbers
There’s no question, the past year or so has impacted our lives in a variety of ways. The sociocultural issues, the global pandemic, the disruption of in-person work and school, and transitioning into remote learning and virtual communication have all contributed to our increased stress levels. Those especially affected are children—life as they’ve known it has changed dramatically, and they have big feelings and emotions they might not be capable of dealing with. Like grown-ups, they have likely struggled with depression, anxiety and stress during these unprecedented times. Let’s all consider the mental health of not only ourselves, but our children, as well. According to Sean Goddard MSN, APRN, NP-C, AGPCNP-BC, CMSRN, CEN, Nurse Practitioner/ Owner of The Crossings Mental Health, the pandemic has certainly disrupted daily life, and everyone is feeling those changes—especially our children. “Overall, the extent of this impact depends on many factors, such as the child’s developmental age, current educational status, cognitive function, pre-existing mental health conditions, being economically under privileged, and if the child has been quarantined due to infection,” said Goddard. “Our children have and are experiencing feelings of helplessness, loneliness and fear of being socially excluded or separated from family and friends. Prolonged stress, boredom and social isolation, as well as a lack of outdoor play, can lead to a higher number of mental health conditions, such as anxiety and even depression.” There are some ways we can identify anxiety and depression in our kids, and to be on alert for specific signs of distress. 18
| JUNE GLO 2021 |
“Early detection of signs like sudden changes in behavior, unusual persistent sadness, excessive worry, a lack of concentration, trouble sleeping or exhaustion all could be signs that there are underlying mental health concerns,” Goddard explained. “It is vital to be proactive in our children’s mental health and don’t just ask yes and no questions. ‘Are you ok’ equals yes or no. Try asking ‘I have noticed that you have been much more quiet recently, why do you feel this is?’ This type of question requires more than a simple yes or no.” As parents and adults around children we can be the ones to help them best talk about their “big feelings” and develop outlets for emotions. “The presence of a caring adult can make a big difference!” said Goddard. “Your relationship with your kids plays a major role in their mental health, and a solid relationship begins with building trust. This means meeting your child’s physical and emotional needs by taking care of them when they’re hungry, thirsty, hot or cold as well as when they’re scared, anxious or sad.
Your kids need you to be consistent, honest and caring. Find ways to demonstrate that you love them and that they can trust you to keep them safe and healthy. Show your child it’s okay to acknowledge feelings by talking about your own. You can make them feel at ease by having a conversation about what it is that’s worrying them, letting them know that it’s natural to feel anxious.” Recently, society has been more open to talking about mental health and normalizing it, which is crucial to de-stigmatizing it. “There is a large stigma associated with mental health disorders; however, depression and anxiety are some of the most common issues facing people these days,” said Goddard. “To normalize it and let people know it’s ok, especially your children, is the process needed. I believe there is a need to make children’s access to mental health support services geared towards providing measures for developing healthy coping mechanisms during the current crisis. Parents and teachers must receive support to maintain structure and routine for children, and to keep children engaged in play and learning activities in school and at home.” a
Resource: The Crossings Mental Health Immediate Care, thecrossingscares.com
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FEATURE | Motherhood
Kids and Mental Health