The silent, long-term impact of the pandemic on kids JETOCKPHOTO

We are still trying to understand how two years of isolation during crucial years of their lives have affected children

- Dr Pramit Rastogi

The pandemic brought together a confluence of unnatural events in the lives of children: Being cooped up indoors with no physical activity, an absence of peer interaction, and online learning to name a few. This coupled with familial stress and the general morbidity set in motion a silent mental health disaster. While the long-term effects on the mental health of children continue to be studied, a few glaring trends have come to light. What is emerging is that the pandemic has affected children differently across age groups.

REGRESSION IN YOUNG CHILDREN

Predictability and consistency in care is very critical for children who are less than six years of age. This helps them develop a sense of trust and safety and eventually allows them to function independently and have healthy boundaries. The pandemic created a fair share of overwhelmed and unavailable parents. Even though they were home, they were preoccupied with competing priorities like work, household chores, illness, and uncertainty. This inhibited their ability to be truly available for their children. ‘Care’ suddenly became less predictable. To compensate, children looked to attract parental attention. And in many cases the manifestation came in the form of regression. Children regressed on old habits and milestones they had achieved earlier. For example, bed wetting at night, losing toilet training habits, not eating by themselves or not changing their clothes without help or difficulty separating from their parents as they transitioned to sch