Parental depression, anxiety during COVID-19 also affects children

For most parents, saying that the COVID-19 pandemic is stressful is a dramatic understatement. The combination of financial pressure, loss of parenting, and health concerns is very difficult for families. Mental health issues are The secondary effects of COVID-19 And the measures introduced to contain it.

Potential long-term effects on children of the increase Parental stress, Anxiety and depression are just beginning to be understood. However, past studies have shown that children exposed to these problems are more likely to experience Mental health problems In addition to increasing your own risk, Learning and behavior problems And Poor lifetime liquidity..

We now need to help parents and develop approaches to protect the future of their children.

Parental anxiety and depression escalation

In the current study, Pregnant mother Them With infants Self-reported anxiety and depression symptoms are three to five times greater. the history of Mental illnessCurrent domestic conflict and economic stress have been associated with worsening mental health in multiple age groups. These numbers are used by young children Very vulnerable to mother’s mental illness due to almost complete reliance on caregivers To meet basic health and safety needs.

Higher percentage of parental psychiatric disorders combined with children spending more time at home due to the presence of COVID-19 Multiple risksincluding Changes in stress system function in children, Higher rates Physical health problems and cognitive impairment..

Parenting stress associated with mental illness can lead to negative interactions, such as strict discipline and a slow reaction to the needs of children. For parents, depression contributes to health problems and poor quality of life. Suicide is the leading cause of death among women of childbearing age We expect to increase unless we continue to address high rates of mental health problems..

Mental health system needs urgent improvement

of World Health Organization (WHO) And other child welfare leaders emphasize the important nature of prioritizing parental mental health services so that parents can build the ability to meet their children’s health and development needs.

Addressing parental mental illness not only reduces the negative impact on the health of the child, but also builds the child’s ability to manage other stressors such as school transitions and other unpredictable events.

There are effective treatments for parental mental illness. However, with COVID-19, there are even higher barriers to access to standard care. Existing barriers such as psychotherapy and high cost of parenting are exacerbated by physical distance, closure of existing services, day care and school closures.

Shifting treatment options to evidence-based online formats is also time-consuming and requires significant investment for large-scale delivery and program improvements to meet current needs. Another issue is that, despite substantial evidence of the importance of addressing both, most existing telemedicine models do not simultaneously handle parental illness and parenting risk.

In particular, parental psychiatric disorders have been disproportionately experienced in racist communities that face both racism and systemic oppression. Failure to address the needs of mental health and parenting, both at the population level and in addressing community-specific needs, will only continue with generational health inequality. What the indigenous people have experienced And Black canadian..

Small steps that may help

Many of the causes of parental mental health are outside our control, but there are small steps you can try right now.

• Double-check that your feelings make sense.. This is an unprecedented difficult time with stress, sadness and anxiety. You are not alone in these feelings and wonder what will happen next. Many other parents are equally distressed, trying to solve the problem of caring for themselves and their families.
• Talk about your feelings.. It is helpful to share your feelings with collaborative partners, friends, family and service providers. Brainstorming and problem solving with others relieve stress and improve mood. The simple act of sharing helps normalize the fact that you are working hard and still feel unwell.
• Practice compassion.. Often, we are kind to others and cruel or blame our suffering. It is important to prioritize your own well-being and self-care. If you are experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression, treat yourself like a friend and treat yourself. Many people are not used to treating themselves with compassion, But there are resources available that will help you develop self-sympathy..
• Seek professional help.. If you find it difficult to manage self-harm, despair, or increased alcohol or drug use, Don’t wait to ask for support.. If you feel sick or anxious and work at home, with friends, or at work for more than two weeks, help further to solve the problem to get to the desired location It is important to ask

Urgent action required for major risk factors

Addressing key risk factors across families, communities, and policy levels requires immediate attention.

Now is the time to develop a national perinatal and family mental health strategy. Early intervention investment is expected to bring high health and economic benefits by preventing the long-term effects of parental mental illness from being embedded in the child’s biological and behavioral development.

Investing now, and in multiple ways, in the mental health of families and support for parenting before problems settle will bring enormous benefits. As part of COVID-19’s pandemic response, it is one of the government’s priorities.

This article is reissued from conversation Under Creative Commons license. Read Original work..