Elizabeth DeSalle

Pediatric Article Response

The article my group decided to look at was about the COVID-19 pandemic and how it

affected pediatric mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on societal

norms, particularly affecting children and has heightened challenges for pediatric clinicians.

Children, especially those already facing difficulties, are at an increased risk of negative health

outcomes due to the economic, psychological, and physical effects of lockdown measures.

Emergency departments have witnessed a surge in pediatric visits for mental health issues in the

United States.

One significant disruption children faced was schools closing, this created a traumatic

event for many students. Schools provide a crucial source of social and emotional connection,

meals for those in need, access for mental health services while providing education and

learning. If the children come from a bad home life school was there to help them escape, but

with the closure the children had nowhere to go and no outlet of escape.

Loneliness remains a significant issue for teens despite families being confined together

under the same roof during the pandemic. Symptoms of depression and anxiety in children may

manifest differently than in adults, because of this, early diagnosis and intervention is a priority.

In an adolescents life seeing and hanging out with their friends is very important, and without

that connection they can fall behind in social development. Some kids had to rely on the media to

see what their friends are doing, but with this can come even more loneliness, wishing they could

be with each other. Unfortunately, conflict within families can exacerbate challenges faced by

children, making schools and social gatherings crucial for their well-being.

The article also addresses the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly in the

context of suicide risk. Stigma is fueled by fear and misunderstanding, and media portrayal can

contribute to reluctance in accessing mental health services. The article highlights the importance
of language in discussing suicide, discouraging terms like "committed suicide" and emphasizing

sensitive alternatives such as "died by suicide" or "suicide behavior." Routine screenings should

be available and are helpful in identifying mental health issues in pediatric patients. And once

issues are identified the primary care provider can implement interventions and meet their mental

and physical needs.

Pediatric care providers, being experts in therapeutic communication, are encouraged to

engage in difficult conversations with families about sensitive subjects like suicide, self-harm,

substance use, anxiety, or depression. The article emphasizes that asking plainly about suicidal

ideation does not increase the risk for suicide and can actually save lives. This was learned in our

qpr training and proves to be true. It can be difficult to ask these questions, but it is better to ask

than not at all. In addition, a list of screening tools are mentioned in the article for numerous

health conditions, ranging from depression and anxiety to substance use and sleep disturbance.

These tools are designed for all diferent age ranges and for different prinicpal problems. These

help healthcare providers identify and address mental health issues in their patients.

To conclude, the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental well-being of

children have been extensive. Pediatric clinicians should try to adopt a comprehensive approach,

considering the factors that contribute to mental health challenges, and impliment necessary

interventions to enhance the wellbeing of both children and their families.