Understanding what’s happening to children in China (who went into quarantine earlier than kids in the United States) can help American parents be more proactive about addressing mental health issues.
Mental Illness Symptoms Among Children in China
Researchers surveyed 1,784 children in the Hubei province of China to assess their mental health following shutdowns caused by the pandemic. The students, who ranged from second graders to sixth graders, were asked questions related to their fears of contracting COVID-19, as well as any symptoms related to depression and anxiety. On average, the students were out of school for 38 days. The study, which was published in April of 2020, found that 23% of children reported symptoms of depression. 19% of students reported symptoms of anxiety. It’s too early to know the long-term effects that quarantine might have on children’s mental health. Will relaxed social distancing rules improve their mental health? Will kids be traumatized by their experiences in quarantine? Fortunately, being proactive about children’s mental health during this difficult time might help address and prevent mental health issues before they get worse.
What Parents Can Do Now
It’s understandable that children in China experienced higher than normal rates of depression and anxiety while in quarantine. The inability to see their friends and attend their activities can certainly have a serious impact on kids’ psychological well-being. Many of the children were also distressed about the pandemic itself. Whether they feared getting sick, feared for the safety of their loved ones, or were concerned about their family’s financial situation, many of the students in the survey acknowledged the pandemic was worrisome. Fortunately, there are some things parents in the U.S. can do right now to be proactive about promoting good mental health for their children.
Use Empowering Language
Language like, “You can’t go to school this year,” or “We’re stuck home all weekend,” implies you are victims. And it may cause kids to feel hopeless and helpless about the situation. It’s OK to admit that you don’t always like staying home. But emphasize that you’re choosing to social distance in an effort to help other people stay healthy.
Talk About Feelings
Make it a priority to check in with your kids about how they’re feeling. Ask everyone privately, “How are you doing these days?” You might also do a family check-in over dinner and acknowledge your own feelings too by saying something like, “I know this is tough sometimes not being able to do all the things we usually enjoy doing.” Be careful not to minimize or dismiss your kids’ feelings. Saying things like, “Missing soccer this year is a small price to pay,” or “Don’t be scared,” sends a message that their feelings are wrong. It’s important for kids to know that feeling scared, frustrated, angry, or lonely is just as acceptable as feeling happy. The key is to make sure that they have the skills and tools they need to deal with uncomfortable emotions in a healthy way. Have conversations about what helps them when they’re sad or how they can calm down when they’re angry. Help them experiment with different strategies to discover which coping skills work best for them.
Create Routines
Most kids do better when they have some structure in their daily routine. So even if they aren’t going to school during normal hours or you have no plans for the weekend, give them some structure. Set aside time to study, do chores, and play. You might also schedule some family time to play a game, watch a movie, or get some exercise. Knowing what to expect every day—like having a snack in the middle of the morning—can help them feel better during a time of uncertainty.
Schedule Fun Activities
It’s good for kids (and adults) to have something to look forward to. Of course, scheduling fun activities during the pandemic can be a little challenging. You might not be able to do the activities you’re used to doing, like going to a baseball game or eating at your favorite restaurant. But with a little creativity, you can find fun things to do that are still safe. And while watching a movie or ball game on TV might not be something you normally schedule, consider scheduling family fun and playing up the excitement with costumes, themed food, and so on. Putting an event on the calendar and telling everyone the plan gives the whole family something to look forward to—and that can be good for everyone’s mental health.
Help Kids Stay Social
Help your kids stay connected with their friends. Interacting with their peers can give them a sense of normalcy while also improving their well-being. If they aren’t attending school in-person you might set up a video chat group so they can have virtual get-togethers. You might also consider letting them play games with their friends online so they can do something besides just “talk.” Younger kids may have trouble maintaining a video chat for any length of time but they may engage in an online game with a friend for much longer. If it’s safe to set up in-person play dates, make sure to do so. You might find playing together outdoors, like in a public park, feels like a safer option than having a child come into your home.
Get Professional Help
Being proactive about your child’s mental health may help ward off some mental health issues. But you can’t always prevent mental health issues, despite your best efforts. If your child appears to be depressed or anxious, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are doing something wrong or that you aren’t doing enough to help them. Some kids are just more susceptible to mental health issues than others (due to personality, genetics, and other factors beyond your control). The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.
