The Kids are Not Alright

Context: The pandemic has aggravated the mental health problems of the young population of India; thus, we need to take some urgent steps to solve this issue.

Factors responsible for the poor mental health of young population

• Poor budgetary allocation: The allocation to mental health, on average in the last couple of years, has been a paltry 0.05 % of the health budget (which is 2.5 % of Gross Domestic Product).
  • Child and adolescent mental health get a minuscule fraction of this 0.05 %.
• Crime against children: India has one of the highest rates of child abuse, depression and suicide amongst children and youth in the world.

Impacts of pandemic: Four-fold increase in anxiety and depressive symptoms leading to marked increase in substance misuse, suicidal thoughts and behaviours. This is due to -

• Halted critical mental health services: According to World Health Organisation, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted critical mental health services in 93 % of countries (including India).
• Disruption of daily life:  The daily rituals of school, playground, hobbies and mealtimes that form the platform for emotional safety and stability were disrupted.
  • Changed their habits: Disrupted sleep cycles, constant demands for junk food, frequent tempers/emotional meltdowns, breakdown of trust and communication between parents and children.
  • Parents were unable to help children: Due to the institutional breakdown, they face related to their jobs and salaries, transport or access to medical services.
• Migration: Difficulties faced by children in migrant families in the lockdown period.
• Increase in traumatic events: Like separation and death due to COVID, exposure to domestic violence, financial crises and suicide.

Way forward:

• Take conscious effort to re-connect with memories and meaning and to have faith in our values and vision, and learn how to take one day at a time and enjoy the small gifts of life. 
  • Young people being willing partners in the discovery of spaces and novel ways of connecting to the world around them will be a step in the right direction.
• Avoid mindless pursuit for material success: Instead, one should treat nature and the environment with care for humanity to survive.
• Reconsider priorities in terms of the mental health and well-being of children.