Exclusive: Protect the mental health of children and adolescents

The impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of children and adolescents and countermeasures

  • LIU Jiajia ,
  • QUE Jianyu ,
  • ZHANG Anyi ,
  • LU Lin
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  • 1. School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China;
    2. Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing 100191, China

Received date: 2020-09-04

  Revised date: 2020-12-12

  Online published: 2021-10-09

Abstract

Childhood is a critical period in the development of their central nervous system. Stressful life events in childhood may have both short-term and long-term impacts on their mental health. To cope with the COVID-19 epidemic, a series of policies have been adopted worldwide, such as the school closure and the social distancing, which have changed the children's psychosocial environment and are associated with an increased risk of mental health problems. This paper reviews the mental health problems that the children might face amid the COVID-19 epidemic, and discusses the countermeasures that the government, the society, and the family might take. Finally, suggestions are made to promote the psychological recovery of children after the epidemic.

Cite this article

LIU Jiajia , QUE Jianyu , ZHANG Anyi , LU Lin . The impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of children and adolescents and countermeasures[J]. Science & Technology Review, 2021 , 39(18) : 20 -24 . DOI: 10.3981/j.issn.1000-7857.2021.18.003

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