Mental Health of Children and Adolescents during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world, the regime of self-isolation, stress and anxiety of adults affect especially children and adolescents. Taking into account the experience of other countries that are faced with the massive spread of COVID-19, a review of data on the negative impact and prediction of the most likely risks of a pandemic situation and self-isolation for the mental health of children, taking into account their age, was carried out. The COVID-19 outbreak has changed the context in which children live. Quarantine measures such as school closures and travel restrictions have changed the daily and social support system for children and created new stressors for parents. Social contacts were strictly limited to immediate family members, which also negatively affects the mental health of children and adolescents. The coronavirus pandemic launched the digital transformation of the educational process at all its levels, and it became possible to form a completely new system of relationships and communication between all participants in the educational process - students and teachers. Particular attention is paid to the risk group - children and adolescents with chronic mental illness, who need constant monitoring and treatment. Timely provision of psychological and psychiatric assistance to children and adolescents is necessary to prevent the consequences of the impact of the pandemic on mental health. The introduction of innovative approaches to the provision of mental health care through telepsychiatry may contribute to the effective use of telemedicine in child and adolescent psychiatry.