With the right support, hard times can build resilience in young people, giving them the ability to better handle stress and rebound from a setback or challenge.
Mental health effects during a global pandemic are very important to monitor, especially in children. Although it has been estimated that youth and young adults have the lowest mortality rates from COVID-19, they are not immune to its consequences.
Many students across the nation are dealing with sudden changes to their social lives and daily routines, the inability to access education, food insecurity, and some may even experience unsafe (emotional or physical) home environments. These challenges can present feelings of sadness, despair, anxiety and stress, said Dr. Gil Noam, founder and director of The PEAR Institute (Partnerships in Education and Resilience) at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
Parents, who are already struggling to balance telework and childcare, should try to focus daily on creating a positive home environment and continuing to build quality relationships with children to help them feel secure and confident in uncertain times. Regular family meals are one way to nurture relationships and check in with your children.
“The feeling of a safe environment where the relationships really matter in a positive way is essential and will have a strong effect in the long term,” Dr. Noam said.
Here are more suggestions from Dr. Noam that parents can tailor to age and developmental levels:
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