How parents can help kids navigate mental health implications of contracting Covid-19

Talk to children about Covid in age-appropriate and non-stigmatising language, say psychologists.

By Shephali Bhatt, ET Bureau | Updated: May 09, 2021, 11.46 AM IST

Parenting is hard as it is, the ongoing pandemic has made it even harder.

With the surge in cases of Covid-19 among children as young as five months old, parents are grappling with the physical, social and psychological implications of the novel coronavirus on their kids.

Child psychologist Joy Santhosh, and Gauri Divan, public health researcher in early child development, developmental disabilities and adolescent health, share their recommendations on what parents can do to help their kids navigate Covid’s impact on their mental health.

Also read: How taking care of children with Covid-19 poses extraordinary challenges

What parents can do right now?

Start talking to kids about Covid-19. We have a tendency to “protect them” by not telling them things we think they are not old enough to grasp. But kids are listening in on adults’ conversations and interpreting them in their own way all the time, and that has its own dangers.
Talk to them in age-appropriate language. Children who’re 5-6-years-old understand the concept of loss but not that of a person not coming back ever. It is important to use developmentally appropriate language to help them understand what’s happening around them right now.
Don’t show them terrifying visual cues
Give the kids a roadmap for an emergency, whom to contact, what to do. Keep a medical kit at home.

Also read: Abandon guilt, carve out me-time: How every working mom can work towards creating her emergency fund
If the child shows symptoms of Covid

Getting tested for Covid is a traumatising process (even for adults). Prepare the child for it.
Build the child’s confidence and self-esteem so that they don’t feel stigmatised about contracting the virus.
Tell them this won’t be a big deal in some time. Cite examples of earlier pandemics to reinstate that this too shall pass and things will get better (even though it may be hard to convince yourself of that possibility right now).

If the child tests positive

Use non-stigmatising language while referring to the infection. Say someone has ‘contracted Covid’ instead of saying someone ‘brought it’ in the house.
Try not to let the stress reflect on your face as children catch cues from facial expressions. Your furrowed brows can make them anxious. Even babies are extremely sensitive to the changes in the behaviour of adults in their vicinity.
If the child must be isolated, tell them you’re around all the time. Send them love notes through the door. Helps lift their spirits.
Create a schedule for the child, help them be in the present moment so they don’t fear the future.

Post-Covid

Talk to them to understand how they feel about what happened to them.
Encourage them to talk about their story with other kids to normalise their situation. Instil positive affirmation.

Note: It's okay for you, the parent, to break down as well. Just remember to get back up from time to time.

Coronavirus Can Get Children Worried: Here's How To Have The Talk
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In the wake of coronavirus, several schools and colleges have been shut in many parts of the world to contain the spread of COVID-19. As public awareness and conversations around the novel virus increase, the situation can get the children anxious and worried for their family members and friends.

Parents, family members, teachers, healthcare professionals and trusted adults play a significant role in helping children make sense of what they hear in a way that is honest, accurate and minimise their fear or anxiety.

Dr Sreenath Manikanti, Senior Consultant Neonatologist & HOD Fortis La Femme Hospital, Richmond Road, Bangalore shares a few tips to help make the corona conversation easier around children.
In the wake of coronavirus, several schools and colleges have been shut in many parts of the world to contain the spread of COVID-19. As public awareness and conversations around the novel virus incr..
Read More
- Remember that children react to how and what things are said

- Children pick up cues from conversations you have with them and others

- Patiently listen to what they say, and allow them to ask questions

- Avoid using words that might blame others and lead to stigma

- Remember that the virus can make anyone sick. Avoid making assumptions about who might have COVID-19

- Pay attention to what children see, hear or read on television, radio or online

- Reduce the amount of screen time for children focused on COVID-19. Too much information on any one topic can lead to anxiety and worry

- Provide information to kids that is honest and accurate. Give information that is truthful and appropriate for the age and developmental level of the child

- Talk to children about how some stories on COVID-19 on the internet and social media may be based on rumours and inaccurate information

- Teach chilren everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs

- Stay calm and keep information simple

- Reassure children that health and school authorities are working very hard to keep everyone safe and healthy

- Teach dos and don'ts at home, schools and play areas

- Remember that children react to how and what things are said - Children pick up cues from conversations you have with them and others - Patiently listen to what they say, and allow them to ask qu..
Read More
- Stay 6 feet away from people who are coughing or sneezing or sick

- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, and then throw the tissue into a closed bin

- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing nose, coughing or sneezing, after using restroom, and before eating or learning to prepare food

- If soap and water are not available, teach children to use hand sanitiser
- Stay 6 feet away from people who are coughing or sneezing or sick - Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, and then throw the tissue into a closed bin - Wash hands with soap and water for a..
Read More
- Avoid touching mouth, nose, eyes and face with unclean hands

- Avoid coughing or sneezing into hands

- Avoid crowded places

- Avoid touching surfaces in public places and play areas unnecessarily
- Avoid touching mouth, nose, eyes and face with unclean hands - Avoid coughing or sneezing into hands - Avoid crowded places - Avoid touching surfaces in public places and play areas unnecessaril..
Read More
What is COVID-19?

- COVID-19 is the short name for 'coronavirus disease 2019'

- It is a new virus. Doctors are still learning more about it

- Recently, this virus has made a lot of people sick

- Doctors and scientists think that most people will be alright, especially kids, but some people might get very sick

- Doctors and experts are working hard to help people stay healthy
What is COVID-19? - COVID-19 is the short name for 'coronavirus disease 2019' - It is a new virus. Doctors are still learning more about it - Recently, this virus has made a lot of people sick - ..
Read More
- Practice healthy habits at home, school and play to help protect against the spread of COVID-19

- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow. If you sneeze or cough into a tissue, throw it in the dustbin right away

- Keep your hands out of your mouth, nose and eyes. This will help keep germs out of your body

- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you don’t have soap and water, use hand sanitiser to clean the germs

- Keep things clean and hygienic

- If you have cough & fever, stay home. Just like you don’t want to get other people’s germs in your body, other people don’t want to get your germs either

- If you are old enough, you can help adults at home and school clean the things we touch the most like desks, doorknobs, light switches and remote controls
- Practice healthy habits at home, school and play to help protect against the spread of COVID-19 - Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow. If you sneeze or cough into a tissue, throw it in the..
Read More
- COVID-19 can look different in different people. From what doctors have seen so far, most kids don’t seem to get very sick

- Being sick with COVID-19 would be a little bit like having the flu. Children may get a fever, cough or have a hard time taking deep breaths

- Most people who have contracted COVID-19 don't get very sick. Only a small group of people who get it have had more serious problems

- If you suspect your child may have COVID-19, call Government of India helpline +91-11-23978046 or contact nearest healthcare facility to let them know before you bring your child in to see them
- COVID-19 can look different in different people. From what doctors have seen so far, most kids don’t seem to get very sick - Being sick with COVID-19 would be a little bit like having the flu. Chi..
Read More
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How taking care of children with Covid-19 poses extraordinary challenges

How parents can help kids navigate mental health implications of contracting Covid-19

Talk to children about Covid in age-appropriate and non-stigmatising language, say psychologists.

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