Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! (topical thread)

[Dānu]

Coronavirus: Children 'developing post-traumatic stress' from pandemic

Children are developing serious mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress, because of the coronavirus pandemic, a charity has warned.

In a report, the Childhood Trust says disadvantage is leaving children extremely vulnerable.

As well as anxiety about their loved ones' health, many children are facing social isolation and hunger.

Lack of internet access is also setting disadvantaged children back.

With many classrooms still closed for lockdown, children unable to access the internet at home have been effectively shut out of online lessons. Teachers warn this will lead to entrenched inequalities between them and classmates from more affluent families.

Children in this position are also unable to access online therapy or other healthcare appointments they need.

A lack of contact with teachers and GPs, who are trained to spot the signs of abuse and neglect, is also leaving kids who are experiencing abuse at home hidden and in danger.


'Mum's going to die, she's not coming back'

Laurence Guinness, chief executive of the Childhood Trust, told BBC News many children it had spoken to were experiencing "vivid nightmares" about the coronavirus and death - a possible side-effect of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

These children had been particularly affected by the global death tolls, he said, which had made them worried their parents and friends would die of coronavirus.

"The rising death tolls being reported every day - these kids have seen all of that and internalised it," he said.