Mental health implications of COVID-19 outbreak on children

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is equally effecting the adult population and the children’s in terms of mental health. Children’s are more susceptible to develop mental health problems as they are in the developmental stage of life. Anxiety, frustrations, impairment of sleep, feeling of helplessness is the common presentations of children during this pandemic outbreak. The health related quality of life has also been deteriorated owing to home confinement and less physical activities. The ongoing situation is quite incongruent with their developmental stage. Children’s are unable to go to school, isolated from their peer group, affecting their healthy development of the brain. It is also evident that the screen time is also gradually increasing which also contributes the brain development in a negative way. It is an important task to monitor the children’s mental and emotional health in this crucial period. Parents and care takers should understand this challenging environmental situation, which may have a devastating effect on their children’s mental health if not handled with utmost care.