By Devanshi Desai, (General member, The Young Canadians Roundtable on Health)
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a sense of fear and anxiety which has led to short-term and long-term psychological and mental health implications for children and young people. Removal from school and daily routines, social isolation - and sometimes loss associated with illness – have increased the stress in children’s lives. Youth are experiencing similar effects too. The perceived mental health of Canadian youth has declined during the pandemic, with over half of the participants aged 15-17 reporting that their mental health was somewhat worse than before the implementation of physical distancing measures. In an Association for the Canadian Studies survey conducted in mid-May 2020, more than one-third (37%) of respondents in the youth survey reported that they experienced adverse impacts to their mental health.
Youth aged 12 to 17 were more likely to report feeling sad and irritable than adults and were more likely to report having trouble sleeping. Another survey of youth and young adults aged 14 to 27 was done in April 2020 by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).It also found a decline in reported mental health early in the pandemic, both for youth and young adults with pre-existing mental health issues and for those without.
Many younger people feel more vulnerable to the pandemic's specific economic impacts, such as job loss. And for those who do not have access to virtual mental health care, disruptions in care and supports due to physical distancing measures may worsen their mental health challenges. A potential solution is the accessibility of more virtual mental care programs; free and confidential crisis resources can also help you or a loved one connect with a skilled, trained counsellor in your area.
COVID-19 and the Impact on Children’s Mental Health, a report by Simon Fraser University’s Children’s Health Policy Centre, reviews several studies on mental health outcomes for children and youth after earlier pandemics and natural disasters. This research identifies the mental health challenges children and youth can be expected to experience during and after COVID-19, including anxiety, post-traumatic stress, depression and behavioural problems. The report indicates that because untreated mental health problems can persist, even extending into adulthood if left untreated, supports for children and youth will significantly reduce future costs.
The study further finds that some adolescents and teens could be adversely impacted, including those with neuro-diverse needs, pre-existing mental health problems, youth in foster care and those influenced by adversities such as social deprivation and prejudice. It also finds that COVID-19 may have a particular effect on Indigenous peoples, who have unduly experienced co-related damage.
Overall, the pandemic is taking an exhausting toll on mental health of youth across every population in Canada. With the uncertainty over when life will go back to “normal,” it’s imperative that youth have barrier-free access to ample mental health supports for the remainder of the pandemic and beyond, to ensure that Canadian youth are able to lead healthy lives.
Devanshi Desai is currently completing her Master of Science in applied human nutrition at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She is passionate about improving health standards by providing quality of food to every individual, reduce food insecurity, mental health, and safety.