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Title: Diminishing Mental Health of Children and Teenagers During Covid-19 Period
Title: Diminishing Mental Health of Children and Teenagers During Covid-19 Period
• Corona virus outbreak has presented educators, students and parents with many challenges.
• Students that were dependant on campus operations for their resources and livelihood had to deal with extra repercussions.
• Those living in homes with history of abuse are very vulnerable due to the added stress of online classes.
• They are struggling to keep a balance between their studies and personal life.
• With disruptions in their daily routines, they can become aggressive and frustrated.
• Due to absence of physical sessions they are not able to receive the care and love they require in order to grow and progress.
• Children with conditions like SENs are very vulnerable to develop anxiety issues.
• Their educators and caretakers need to come up with creative ways of making them learn and ensuring that their learning does not
stop.
• The families need to show extra care and love for children with special needs.
Impact on young children-
• Even before a child is born, anxiety starts to demonstrate the negative influence on pregnant mothers.
• Younger children were more likely to be believed to have signs of anxiety and fear of infection.
• Young Children have reported significant psychiatric disorders of enhanced restlessness, disregard and adherence.
• The chance of having mental health problems has also been linked to social disparity.
• Rise in the number of impoverished and homeless children currently have little to no source of earning.
• Children and teens may be forced into child labour as a result of closed schools combined with economic hardship.
• Due to gender disparity, a rising proportion of girls are at risk of dropping out of school after the lockdown is relieved.
Policies and Laws on Mental health in India
• The right to life in India has been broadened to encompass the right to health, under Article 21.
• National Mental Health Programme was established in 1982 but it's still on paper even after 38 years.
• Since its inception in 1987, the Mental Health Act has been a source of controversy.
• Mental health is addressed in the National Health Policy of 2002. However, there is no distinct mental health policy.
• The District Mental Health Program (DMHP) was established in 1996 and restructured in 2003.
• On May 29, 2018, the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 was enacted and published.
• Main focus of the new act was on the rights of a mentally ill person and it also replaced the Mental Health
Act,1987.
• Mental Health Act, 1987 has always been the object of controversy since its passage.
• The new act has been presented without meeting the needs which disturbed the Mental Health Act, 1987.
• The new act overlooks the fact that the country has a mental health programme.
Survey
Questions Response Number of Percentage
subjects (N=110)
• Covid-19 associated disruption brings to light critical issues and gives a chance to assess alternative educational
strategies.
• Greater danger as a result of their excessive advent of online gaming and social networking sites.
• Children and teenagers with psychological disorders may see an increase in symptoms and behavioural issues.
• Children from low-income families are especially vulnerable to ill treatment and violence.
• Accessibility to mental health related therapies and treatments for children and teenagers must be increased.
• Awareness, development, and remedies regarding the public mental health system should be the main focus of
the health care system and policymakers.