Rajesh, 18,participates in a psychosocial counseling after COVID-19 lockdown in Nepal, March 2021. Credit: 91ֿ.
COVID-19: Children Globally Struggling after Lockdowns Averaging Six Months–91ֿ
FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Oct. 7, 2021)—Children around the world havestayedindoorsfor anaverage ofsix monthssince the start of the pandemic,withgrowingconcernsaboutrising levels of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and even self-harm,91ֿhaswarned aheadof World Mental Health Day.
New analysis by Save theChildren, usingdata from the, reveals that children globally have lived under required and recommended nationwide lockdowns for an average of six months, or 184 days since the COVID-19 pandemic started in early 2020.
Children in Venezuela have faced one of the longest periods at home, with intermittent lockdowns keeping children inside for up to 16 months.In Lebanon, children were confined to their homes for 418 days.Across Zimbabwe, children were in lockdown for nearly nine months this year alone.
91ֿ is warning thattheseextended lockdownsare taking a devastating toll on children’s mental healthgloballyand isurgingall governments toinclude mental health and psychosocial support for children and adolescents in national health services.
Children who experience long-term lockdownsare atincreased risk of emotional distress, loneliness, and abuse, as well as lack of outdoor play and access to mental health support. In some cases, prolonged stress, uncertainty, and social isolation can also lead to anxiety, aggression, withdrawn behavior, or even depression and self-harm.
Marie Dahl, Head of 91ֿ’s Mental Health & Psychosocial Support Unit, said:
“A global mental health crisis is unfolding, and for some childrenits harmful effects may be catastrophic.Children living in povertyoralreadyindisadvantagedorotherwise vulnerable situations are at greater risk of thedamagingconsequencesoflong-lasting lockdowns.
“Being deprived of social stimulation canseverely impact children’s mental health and development.While lockdown orders are importantto curb the spread of COVID-19, social isolationcan cause feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, and depression among children.Failure to respond to this mental healthcrisis couldleave children with long-termwellbeing, development, and overallpoorhealthimplicationsevenafter restrictions arelifted.”
in 46countries carried out by 91ֿ in September last year found that 83 percent of children reported an increase in negative feelings due to the pandemic.Reports of negative feelings were far higher for the vast majority of children (96 percent) when schools had been closed for 17 to 19 weeks.
Since then, the situation for many children has worsened as countries have battled third or fourth waves of the virus,lockdowns have continued, and schools in some countries have been closed for over 18 months.
In India, which has recorded more than448,000 COVID-19 deaths, children across the country have spent at least 100 daysathome.To support children’s mental healthin India, 91ֿ set up afree counselinghelplinefor children and young people struggling in the pandemic.The helpline has receivedmore than2,900callsthis year.Stress, anxiety, and boredom, as well as uncertainty towards the future,are among thetopconcernsraisedon the helpline.
“I usually get calls from children related to how [the] pandemic has taken a toll on them and their studies. It is clearly stressful for the children to stay at home doing nothing. It has also led to more and more anger issues in children,”said Isha, ahelplinecounselor with91ֿ.
Childrenin nearly every country haveendured some form oflockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.In high-income countries likeCanada, some children have stayedindoors for a total of13months, or402 days.Althoughhigh-income countries have better access to mental health support, children in these countries can also experience disruptions in their online education, sleeping cycles, play routines, and social interactions, as well as a heightened risk of harm online. All of these factors can put children’s mental health at risk.
In Europe,lockdownshavekeptchildren like 14-year-old Nayaat homefor an average ofninemonths.Naya, who moved to the Netherlands from Syria in 2013, knows first-hand the positive impact mental health and well-being support can have. She now advocates for children’s mental health together with 91ֿ. Last June, she called on the government to better support teachers in providing psychosocial support to children with a refugee background.
“The psychosocial support[that I’vereceived]helped increase[my]confidence in my own abilities and to realize I don’t need to be ashamed of what I’ve gone through. My fears and nightmares have disappeared. Having friends helped a lot in processing my experiences and making me feel at home,”saidNaya.
In Nepal, wherechildrenhavestayedindoors forup to12 monthssince the pandemic began, 91ֿ has been providing therapeutic counseling for children.
Rajesh, 18, received counselling from 91ֿ in Nepal after he struggled with feelings of anger and lack of sleep during lockdown. His school was unable to run online lessons, and when he tried to go outside for a walk he was stopped by police.
“I was afraid I would not survive, and I would never be able to see new things in my life. I feared my dreams would be lost forever,” Rajesh said.
91ֿwants allgovernments toprioritizeand investin children’s mental health, well-being, and learning during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.Theorganizationis alsocallingforchildren’s mental health and well-being to be acknowledged as a right,urginggovernmentsto tacklestigma and human rights violations ofchildren with mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities.
In the United States, 91ֿ is urging members of Congress to co-sponsor the Mental Health in International Development and Humanitarian Settings (MINDS) Act (S.2105/HR.3988), the first-ever legislation to address mental health and psychosocial support in US foreign assistance.
With the rightcare and support, many childrenwho are experiencing elevated distress due to the pandemic will be able to recover and reach their full potential.
However,Marie Dahl from 91ֿ saidmental health and psychosocial supportas part of health, education, and protectionservices must be urgently funded to better respond to future lockdowns, as well as other emerging challenges,especially in low- and middle-income countries.Without it,it could lead toserious mentalhealthand developmentconsequences for thenext generation.
91ֿ believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we've been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that 91ֿ is a charity you can trust. Follow us on , , and .