Speech

Good morning everyone. As a future psychotherapist the theme I have chosen is Covid-19

and the topic is The Negative Impacts of Covid-19 on Children’s Mental Health. What do

you know about how covid-19 affects children mentally? Well I would implore you to listen

because many children out there, even right around you are battling with mental illness and

you don’t know. I will be discussing the articles, the challenges faced while doing the

research and the validity and credibility of the information.

To properly explore this topic, three articles were chosen. The first was article published

by Jamaica Information Service on June 25, 2021 and written by Serena Grant. In this article

Dr Barnett a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist is imploring parents to look out for

signs that children may need help coping with the pandemic because there are children who

suffers from depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses and the pandemic have only made

these conditions worse. There are children who never had any issue relating to mental health

who are experiencing it now. Secondly, an article published October 21, 2021 by Jamaica

Gleaner and the topic is Covid-19 and mental health. The author stated a few ways parents

can minimize the effects of the pandemic on other kids such as: keep them connected with

friends, maintain familiar routine and provide age appropriate activities. Dr Janet Walters

also suggests engaging a counselor. Last but not least another article published by Radio

Jamaica October 11, 2021. A UNICEF study states that in Jamaica 17.4% of adolescents age

10-19 had a mental health disorder based on 2019 data. UNICEF representative for Jamaica

Mariko Kagoshima says the pandemic has worsened the situation with more girls

experiencing anxiety and boys exhibiting signs of attention-deficit. . She also said that the

Caribbean region has had the longest closure of schools globally and this is a contributing

factor. She stressed for the re-opening of face-to-face schools in Jamaica.

 While doing the research there were only a few challenged faced. I could not find much

article from credible sources and the credible sources found were mostly about how the

Covid-19 pandemic affects adults.

Article 1 information is valid because the information presented came from a clinical

psychologist and psychotherapist who have encountered these cases on a day-to-day basis.

The source was credible since it was published by Jamaica Information Service, a

government entity. Article 2 information is valid because it was presented by Dr Janet

Walters, a counseling psychologist and a marriage and family therapist. The source is

credible because it was published by the largest newspaper company in Jamaica, Jamaica

Gleaner. Article 3 information is valid because the information presented came from

UNICEF country representative for Jamaica, Mariko Kagoshima. The source is credible

because it was published by Radio Jamaica, one of Jamaica’s well known radio stations.

Throughout this speech the articles were discussed, challenges faced while doing my
research and the validity and credibility of the information. I do hope you all have learnt
something. Thank you all for listening to me.