MHM Magazine

Issue 3 | 2021 | MENTALHEALTHMATTERS | 41 MHM C hild self-care has become an area of great concern during the Covid-19 pandemic. Overwhelmed parents may not be aware of the signs of their child’s distress and even if they are, they may not know how to deal with it effectively. This is where doctors can step in to help alleviate some of the stress both parents and children may be experiencing. There have been considerable disruptions and inconsistencies in school routines and these may be highlighted again now we’re going through the third wave. School programmes are constantly changing regarding tests, exams, when to go to school, when not to go to school and online classes. The ongoing uncertainty and inconsistency is what increases the risk for anxiety, which can ultimately have a significant impact on a child’s mental health and quality of life. While facing their own considerable difficulties, parents are working hard to help their children get through these difficult times, but for children especially, it’s so important to keep routine within the home consistent. Doctors can provide guidance to their adult patients to help their children deal with this strange and scary new world. Keeping routines consistent within the home, in a world of chaos, may provide a child a space to feel safe in. Activities which involve things like getting up in the morning, preparing breakfast, eating together as a family, getting into a calm space when doing online schooling, time taken for homework, and very importantly - time taken for play, are all activities which need to be kept in a routine. Remind your patients that they may not be able to be physically present throughout all these activities, but it’s important to check in at least once a day and ask their children how they are feeling – if they have had any particular difficulty on that day and how they can help them through this challenge. Children don’t necessarily want someone to do something for them or solve their problem, they often just want to feel heard and feel safe during these times. If parents can keep their children feeling safe, and help them to rely on the home environment to be a comforting space, there’s a good chance they will ride this third wave and come out stronger at the end. In keeping with the theme of safety, many things in the post- pandemic modern world threaten a child’s safety. During Covid-19, electronic means of staying connected and social media have become the favoured way to connect with others but this does come with some dangers, especially when it comes to children’s mental health and self-care. Increased access to social media means increased risk to bullying and potentially other forms of abuse. Children who aren’t able to discern what’s potentially “good’’ social media or “good’’ news when compared to something that may be malicious or more threatening and harmful may be susceptible to being potentially affected by social media in the long term. Advise your adult patients on these risks. Parents who are aware of the risks associated with social CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PROTECTION DURING THE THIRD WAVE OF COVID-19 By Dr Kim Laxton Psychiatrist Johannesburg Klaxton93@gmail.com