Title: Diminishing Mental Health of

Children and Teenagers during Covid-

19 period. 
 Impact of Covid-19 on Mental Health
Impact on students-

• Corona virus outbreak has presented educators, students and parents with many challenges. 

• They are facing a lot of challenges because of the online classes. 

• Students that were dependant on campus operations for their resources and livelihood had to deal with extra repercussions. 

• Those living in homes with history of abuse are very vulnerable due to the added stress of online classes. 

• They are struggling to keep a balance between their studies and personal life.

Impact on children with special needs-

• With disruptions in their daily routines, they can become aggressive and frustrated.

• Due to absence of physical sessions they are not able to receive the care and love they require in order to grow and progress. 

• Children with conditions like SENs are very vulnerable to develop anxiety issues. 

• Their educators and caretakers need to come up with creative ways of making them learn and ensuring that their learning does not
stop. 

• The families need to show extra care and love for children with special needs.
Impact on young children-

• Even before a child is born, anxiety starts to demonstrate the negative influence on pregnant mothers.

• The lockdown in young children are more effective in terms of psychological and communal growth. 

• Younger children were more likely to be believed to have signs of anxiety and fear of infection.

• Young Children have reported significant psychiatric disorders of enhanced restlessness, disregard and adherence.

Impact  on underprivileged children-

• The chance of having mental health problems has also been linked to social disparity.

•  The worldwide economic decline has exacerbated the already existing social disparity. 

• Rise in the number of impoverished and homeless children currently have little to no source of earning.

• Children and teens may be forced into child labour as a result of closed schools combined with economic hardship.

• Due to gender disparity, a rising proportion of girls are at risk of dropping out of school after the lockdown is relieved.
 Policies and Laws on Mental health in India
• The right to life in India has been broadened to encompass the right to health, under Article 21.  

• National Mental Health Programme was established in 1982 but it's still on paper even after 38 years.

• Since its inception in 1987, the Mental Health Act has been a source of controversy. 

• Mental health is addressed in the National Health Policy of 2002. However, there is no distinct mental health policy.

• The District Mental Health Program (DMHP) was established in 1996 and restructured in 2003. 

• On May 29, 2018, the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 was enacted and published. 

• Main focus of the new act was on the rights of a mentally ill person and it also replaced the Mental Health
Act,1987. 

• Mental Health Act, 1987 has always been the object of controversy since its passage.

• The new act has been presented without meeting the needs which disturbed the Mental Health Act, 1987. 

• The new act overlooks the fact that the country has a mental health programme. 
Survey
Questions Response Number of Percentage
subjects (N=110)

Were you able to fulfil your work Yes 40 36.4%

objectives during the lockdown?
No 70 63.6%
Were you concerned about access Yes 82 74.5%
to treatment during the lockdown?
No 28 25.5%
Have you rescheduled any of your Yes 104 94.5%
pre-planned events?
No 6 5.5%
Has your sleep time increased Yes 69 62.7%
during lockdown?
No 41 37.3%
Were you concerned about your Yes 71 64.5%
productivity level?
No 39 35.5%
Have you noticed an increase in Yes 100 90.9%
overthinking and irrational
thoughts?
No 10 9.1%
Has the amount of time you spend Yes 97 88.2%
on social networking sites increased
during lockdown? No 13 11.8%
 Conclusion
• Children and teenagers are subjected to detrimental consequences on academic, mental, and cognitive
achievements.

• They also face alienation, stress, and unpredictability.

• Covid-19 associated disruption brings to light critical issues and gives a chance to assess alternative educational
strategies.  

• Greater danger as a result of their excessive advent of online gaming and social networking sites. 

• Children and teenagers with psychological disorders may see an increase in symptoms and behavioural issues. 

• Children from low-income families are especially vulnerable to ill treatment and violence.

• Accessibility to mental health related therapies and treatments for children and teenagers must be increased.

• Need for ‘tele mental health compatibility,' as well as accessibility to the general population.  

• Awareness, development, and remedies regarding the public mental health system should be the main focus of
the health care system and policymakers.