Mitigate effects of home confinement on children, suggests report

The outbreak of novel coronavirus is taking its toll on the planet fast.

Many countries put in place restriction on people’s movements but announced social distancing as a means to combating the spread of Covid-19.

Children, at the height of this crisis are most vulnerable to mental illness due to time away from social activities and schooling.

A survey revealed that around 91 percent children are facing a range of mental risks due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

Under such circumstances experts suggest that authorities must think of activities for children during their home confinement to ease their mental blocks.

Experts say since children are almost all the time confined to their homes they are very likely to experience mental stresses due to financial crisis in many families, joblessness of parents and shortage of food at home.

Moreover, many are also likely to experience family violence during the lockdown period more than ever.

Child specialists suggest to protect the children from such mental trauma family members must spend time with them and make their stay at home more enjoyable.

World Vision in this regard conducted a survey in 13 developing countries of the world in the past two months.

This research was conducted in March and April 2020 to explore children and young people’s reflections and perceptions on the Covid-19 outbreak. This study was organised in response to the young people’s continued child activism in the face of personal challenges.

On Tuesday the organisation published a report on the outcome of the survey titled, 'Children voices in the time of Covid-19'. The survey has painted a gloomy picture on children’s mental health during confinement to homes. It suggested that children have been frightened and tormented under such a lockdown.

It can be mentioned here that the survey was conducted in the shelter homes in Bangladesh, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Peru, the Philippines, Sierra Leone and along the borders of Turkey and Syria. The survey included 101 children and youth (58 girls and 43 boys) from ages between 8 and 18 years.

Presidium Member of the Central Committee of Khelaghar (a cultural organisation), Dr. Lenin Chowdhury, told The Business Post that children were captivated in their respective homes due to the lockdown. Even if the adults are there, they (adults) are busy with household chores. On the one hand, they (children) cannot comingle with their friends since the schools and colleges are shut and members of the family are not giving them time. As a result, they are encountering various psychological problems, such as frustration, anxiety and panicking.

Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinct fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said: "We are getting news from different districts that torture on women has escalated in recent times."

To prevent such offence against women, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Ministry of Social Welfare and Local Administrations must take initiatives, he said.

To prevent such offence against women, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Ministry of Social Welfare and Local Administrations must take initiatives, he said.

The World Vision in its report has pointed out three straight reasons for the loss of mental health of people during the pandemic. These are: disruption in academic activities, mental agonies for social distancing and escalation of impoverishment in the families.

Around 71 percent of the children and youths according to the report suggest that they are feeling alienated and lonely.

The Advocacy and External Engagement Chief of World Vision Partnership, Mrs Dana Buzducea, said children are not being able to communicate (properly) with their friends and relatives due to fear, confusion and frustration.

She said, the countries where the survey was conducted are poverty-hit. As a result, anxieties shot up in the minds of children in most families.

Ninety one percent of the children surveyed admitted that the prolonged uncertainties and alienation were pushing them towards worries, anger, fear and other mental pressures, Buzducea added.

The report cited a child, Anita, who said such a situation is not something that makes someone feel good.

She said: "Even if we live in isolation to survive the coronavirus, we may die in starvation."

The report said children are also willing to take part in the battle against Covid-19. Children and the youths want to contribute to their respective communities in the backdrop of their mental pressures to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Children said they should have been incorporated in the effort to combat Covid-19.