8 ways Covid has impacted teen mental health, and what we can do about it

A year and a half of bans, school closings, and social distancing have caught teens at a vulnerable stage in their emotional development, says Dr. Shelly Ben Harush Negari, a doctor who specializes in adolescent medicine.

Many children have forgotten or had no opportunity to learn how to behave outside the home. Others suffer the serious consequences of lost class time and socialization.

“Usually teenagers shift their focus from parents to friends. The social aspect is very important for their development and the creation of their own point of view. But the pandemic separates them from friends, ”says Negari, director of the Center for Adolescent Medicine at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem and a clinic for adolescent medicine at an HMO in Jerusalem.

How has the past 18 months affected teenagers? How can adults help them move forward as we learn to live with Covid-19 and other future pandemics?

In addition to Negari, ISRAEL21c interviewed clinical psychologist Batya Ludman, a member of the Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit of United Hatzalah and a member of the Advisory Board of Get Help Israel; clinical psychologist Stuart Chesner, director of the Israel Academy for Social and Emotional Learning (a teacher and parent education center); and clinical social worker Adimika (Mika) Smith of Positive Health Counseling.

They identified many issues that need to be addressed, but stressed that not every teenage boy suffers from the negative effects of the pandemic. Some even benefited from the extra time with their parents.

Chesner says it is a case of “the rich get richer and the poor get poorer”.

In other words, children with stable families, positive role models, and the ability to learn remotely and independently tend to be “stuck” at home. Children in the opposite situation are more at risk than ever before.

However, pandemic-related problems can affect any young person. Here are some of the concerns of our experts and practical tips for parents.

BODY IMAGE AND EATING DISORDERS

Dr. Shelly Ben Harush Negari, Director of the Center for Adolescent Medicine at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. Photo courtesy of Dr. Negari

“Zoom created a situation in which young people are always looking at themselves [on screen] instead of their teacher and their classmates, ”emphasizes Negari.

“All of a sudden I got messages from kids saying they need to look better because others are looking at them and they want to look perfect when they go back to school.”

An increased obsession with body image can sometimes trigger eating disorders.

“I get calls from teachers, parents, and doctors every day about bulimia and anorexia cases, and treatment programs are flooded,” says Negari. “We’re seeing it at an earlier age and more requests for treatment, maybe because parents are more at home seeing what their kids are eating.”

Other pandemic-related factors that can lead to eating disorders include being at home all day with constant access to food and irregular sleep cycles, which distort feelings of hunger and satiety.

TIP: “Family meals are very important. Even if the children live without their familiar structures, eating together in the family makes sense to prevent eating disorders, ”advises Negari.

ABNORMAL SLEEPING HABITS

“Usually you have day and night and now it’s a mishmash – they sleep all day and watch Netflix and text messages with friends all night,” says Negari.

“The delayed sleep cycle has a strong influence on mood and hormones.”

TIP: When school is closed, find daytime activities that interest and stimulate your child. “You can find a buddy and get groceries for someone who’s locked up. You can try new recipes. You could make videos. Ask them what they think they can do instead of being in a doldrums, ”suggests Ludman.

REDUCED MOTIVATION

Dr. Batya Ludman, clinical psychologist in Ra’anana. Photo courtesy Get Help Israel

“Some children, especially those with ADD, have a hard time maintaining interest in the face of insecurity and lack of routine and structure at home and in school,” says Ludman.

“A child I videotaped with during the day was in her pajamas under her covers. I could see that her room was a mess. I said, ‘Hey, your desk looks cool. Give me a tour of your room. ‘ She cleaned up quickly and then I engaged her. “

TIP: “We have to make sure that our children think about the future and don’t get the message from us that everything is lost and broken,” says Negari. “Teenagers’ brains are developing, and so much can be done. Encourage them to volunteer. They want to have the feeling of being part of something and doing something. “

INCREASED FEAR

Negari notes that quarantines and bans for teenagers with social anxiety are “like heaven”.

However, staying in their comfort zone does not give them an opportunity to practice social skills, which increases their existing anxiety in social situations.

On the flip side, teens who benefit from fellowship with their peers are afraid of not hanging out with friends.

Another fear trigger is the pandemic itself.

“I saw children who were afraid of going out, afraid of getting Covid or bringing it to their family,” says Ludman. “Some have sick family members and that scares them. Some have health problems that make them very anxious to go to school and see their friends. “

She notes that children are more afraid of not getting vaccinated than of getting vaccinated. “The vaccination gives them more freedom to get out.”

People in unsafe homes can become desperate for fear. “In a normally functioning home, it is not bad to be at home for two weeks. If the home is dangerous, two weeks are very stressful, ”adds Negari. “We’re seeing an increase in anxiety, depression, and even self-harm.”

TIP: Encourage children to express their feelings through writing, painting, or dancing, Ludman suggests. Many teens are open to learning breathing and relaxation techniques that will help them regulate themselves.

VIRTUAL REALITY

Dr. Mika Smith from Positive Health Counseling. Photo courtesy of Dr. Smith

“Parents need to limit their kids on social media and other forms of screen time,” says Smith.

“Research shows that people who look at a screen for more than eight hours change their brain waves. You have to do something physical outside to stimulate your brain and get off your screens. “

A study by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the University of Haifa, and Reichman University (formerly the Interdisciplinary Center) in Herzliya found that 83 percent of children and adolescents became screen addict during the pandemic.

Negari adds that teenagers can put themselves at risk by making connections with people in the virtual world, and parents should closely monitor these types of activities.

TIP: Parents need to investigate their children’s virtual encounters, says Smith. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. They may be angry with you, but your questions show that you love them and could even save your child’s life. “

QUESTIONABLE MODELS

Dr. Stuart Chesner, director of the Israel Academy for Social and Emotional Learning. Photo by Shaya Chesner

“The main effect on emotional well-being is related to isolation,” says Chesner, who specializes in teenagers at risk.

“Isolation can be detrimental to anyone, but especially to teenagers who struggle to establish their identity and who really need role models to do so,” he explains.

“Because they are so isolated, teenagers have been prevented from interacting with many key role models such as counselors, teachers, and even athletes,” says Chesner.

He notes that children in lower socio-economic circumstances tend to have less positive role models in their personal sphere.

“When real role models are not available, they withdraw more into their fantasy world, create fantasy identifications – for example with a gangster rapper – and internalize values ​​that are unproductive and separate from them and their world. That increases all risk factors for any kind of bad outcome. “

TIP: Find ways in which positive role models are virtually present at home, says Chesner. “While we are used to using digital technology to make our interactions more efficient, we never thought of using it to improve the intimacy of our interactions, and now we need to find out. One idea is to schedule a Zoom meeting with a positive role model, perhaps a distant family member, where the meeting itself is the goal. “

MANAGE EXPECTATIONS

While adults think more about the future, adolescents focus on the here and now, explains Negari. This fact should impact how parents communicate their expectations during the pandemic.

“To say that it is dangerous to go out with friends because they could get infected – it is too far away for them. Trying to make them afraid of the future doesn’t work. You need information about what is expected in the next two weeks. “

TIP: Tell the teenagers exactly what to expect in terms of mouthguards, hygiene, and distancing. “You can say, ‘I want you to be able to play basketball with your friends, and for that you have to do 1, 2 and 3,’” suggests Negari. Ludman encourages parents to reward following the rules and to draw conclusions for breaking the rules.

COMMUNICATION GAP

Many teenagers tell Negari that they filter what they tell their parents so their parents don’t worry.

“Parents can tell their children, ‘I am the adult and I am responsible for you. Do not worry about me; I’ll manage.'”

However, Ludman adds, “It’s okay to let her know when you’re having a difficult time. And when parents get the help they need, it helps the children.

“Even in these uncertain times, let’s get the message across that we can get through this together and make positive progress.”

TIP: Plan weekly “dates” with each child individually. Let them choose where to go for an hour and sit down and listen to what they have to say.

source https://www.bisayanews.com/2021/09/26/8-ways-covid-has-impacted-teen-mental-health-and-what-we-can-do-about-it/