Your child may have returned to school in an excited and happy manner and if that’s the case, that is brilliant. However, if it is not the case, then read on, there may be some useful information and/or advice contained within.

There are some shocking but perhaps unsurprising statistics currently regarding the state of our childrens mental health.

It isn’t rocket science to comprehend that due to past months of lockdown, school closures, home schooling experience, not seeing friends and having family members around and generally having their world turned upside down that children and young people, are experiencing some difficulties with life’s ever changing landscape, pretty much as we, as adults, are.

The uncertainty and stresses of the past year has caused a lot of children to regress.

• Speech
• toilet training
• tantrums

Regression – bedwetting tantrums and speech

The portion of the brain associated with attention deficit disorders and anxiety are the frontal lobes, also known as the executive functioning areas. The same areas of the brain that control executive function also control urination.

Uncertainty over the pandemic may be causing children to have new onset of day and night-time wetting.

This is a great article giving information and reassurance:

https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/regression-and-covid

And Dr France of Yale University America has some good tips here:

https://www.ynhhs.org/patient-care/covid-19/wellbeing/bedwetting-during-the-pandemic.aspx?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=pmd_A8oqy4mj8Vgx55wVUIXZgnNoX8eRHTafOSkw9rNijK4-1631787368-0-gqNtZGzNAuWjcnBszRN

How do you help a child with regression?

Here are five regression tips to help your family.

• • Discuss Concerns. Stress in your child’s life can be a trigger for some, but not all, regressive behaviour.
  • Identify the Problem. What is the stress that’s triggering the regression?
  • Be sympathetic. Listen and refrain from jumping in too quickly with answers and suggestions.
  • Work on Solutions. Ask them what they think may help or talk about when you have felt in a similar way and what worked for you if appropriate.
  • Use Positive Reinforcement. Kind, encouraging words are great, notice the small steps forward and point them out. Tangible rewards may also be helpful.

If you would like any help, advice or support with this, please discuss with a professional such as your GP, school nurse or mental health worker.

Depression

A study last October by NHS Digital found that one in six children aged between five and 16 in England is “likely to have a mental disorder”, an increase of almost half since 2017.

Such long waiting lists for referrals to Child Mental Health Services mean that children aren’t always getting the support they need. There is help out there though. The charity Young Minds has lots of advice, information and ways to support on their website. This information can be accessed by young people themselves, parents and carers and professionals who support young people.

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/

Eating disorders

There has been a disturbing rise in cases of eating disorders being highlighted during the pandemic and a rise in boys presenting with issues.

If you have concerns of this nature, please contact your GP for help and support.
This article highlights the growing problem, the funding needed and the new Government mental health strategy for this.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-58551051

Anxiety

We know how debilitating a bout of anxiety can be and low-level persistent anxiety can drain our energy leaving us feeling low and ‘wrung out’. Children are no exception to this.

School based anxiety

This article from the BBC highlights the rise in school-based anxiety and the impact it has not only on the child/young person but their families.

If your child is suffering from this, the best advice is to keep the lines of communication open with the school and also your GP.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-58474418

Climate based anxiety

https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/environment/2021/09/15/more-than-half-of-young-people-extremely-worried-about-climate-change/

Statistics

67% believed that the pandemic will have a long-term negative effect on their mental health. This includes young people who had been bereaved or undergone traumatic experiences during the pandemic, who were concerned about whether friendships would recover, or who were worried about the loss of education or their prospects of finding work.

1 in 6
children aged five to 16 were identified as having a probable mental health problem in July 2020.
Less than 1 in 3
young people with a mental health condition get access to NHS care and treatment.
80%
of young people with mental health needs agree that the Covid-19 pandemic has made their mental health worse.

The coronavirus pandemic and the response needed to control it have made matters worse. 52% of 16-20-year-olds have self-harmed in the last year. Many young people with an existing mental health problem have said their needs have escalated and have experienced new barriers to accessing support.