Much of the national debate within the educator and parent communities during the past two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, has centred around dangers of children contracting the virus, pros and cons of reopening schools, efficiency of online learning, and the learning loss suffered by children. Several studies have assessed and documented children’s learning loss and projected income loss in adulthood because of prolonged schools closure. However, the quantum of emotional, mental and psychological damage suffered by children and youth during the world’s longest education lockdown and pandemic-related restrictions hasn’t been sufficiently assessed. Yet, it’s an indicator of the shock and trauma that children suffered when all education institutions were abruptly locked down that in April 2020 — a mere month after the lockdown — Childline India reported receiving 92,000 SOS calls from disturbed children, an increase of 100 percent over the previous month. Three pandemic waves later, children’s distress has surely multiplied manifold. In our cover story this month, we beam a spotlight on children’s mental health in the post-pandemic era. Child psychologists, counsellors and mental health experts are unanimous that a large and growing number of children are exhibiting symptoms of anger management difficulty, irritability, anxiety, fear, depression, digital addiction, disturbed sleep, nightmares, and appetite loss. They warn that failure to focus on repairing children’s emotional and mental health could lead to disastrous consequences. In our detailed and well-researched story, we present expert advice to enable parents to cope with five commonly reported mental health disorders afflicting children in the immediate aftermath of the most prolonged education lockdown in Indian history. There’s much else in this issue of ParentsWorld. Check out the Early Childhood story on the trend of a growing number of expectant parents making ‘birth plans’ to communicate their preferences during childbirth and post-delivery. Also an insightful essay on how worrying about being a perfect mother makes it harder to be a good parent. Don’t miss out the Health section providing valuable information on five healthy hi-energy foods for children.
