Mar 22, 2021 23:00:00

Deterioration of mental health of children forced to wait at home due to school closure due to the new corona has become a problem

Many people around the world are refraining from going out due to the influence of the new coronavirus, which has been rampant on a global scale since the end of 2019, and many children are unable to attend school in some areas. 'School closures due to the epidemic of the new coronavirus are having a negative impact on children's mental health,' Reuters said.

Schools, COVID and Mental Health

https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/health-coronavirus-students/

Reuters conducted a survey of school districts in the United States in February 2021. As a result, it was found that out of the 74 school districts that responded, 55 school districts, which is about three-quarters, 'increased the number of children whose mental health deteriorated due to stress.'

In addition, it was found that the percentage of student absenteeism and leave of absence is increasing in almost 90% of the respondents. More than half of the respondents said, 'The closure of schools has led to a lack of face-to-face education and worsening children's mental health.'

In addition, 57% of respondents reported that they were asking for human assistance, 'I want more teachers and support staff.'

In the spring of 2020, measures were taken to close all public schools in the United States, from kindergartens to high schools, to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. Many were temporary measures, but in some districts, school boards, teachers' unions, and PTAs are opposed to reopening schools, and some children are still out of school.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said, 'Outbreaks can occur in schools, but if school controls are in place, school infections are usually higher than community levels. Studies have shown that it is low, or at least comparable, 'he said, questioning the effectiveness of long-term school closures.

Still, some parents who consider the risk of children getting infected at school and bringing the new coronavirus home are refusing to attend school. In particular, there are cases in which some households with diabetes or autoimmune diseases who are at high risk of aggravation of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) are not allowed to go out as well as go to school. I will.

However, witnessing children who continue to wait at home without meeting any friends or teachers lose their families at COVID-19 or lose their jobs due to the effects of a pandemic worsens their mental health. It is said that there are many cases where it ends up.

The Somerset Independent School District in southern San Antonio, Texas, has doubled the number of children judged by a team of mental health professionals to be 'indicating suicide.' In addition, it was found that many of the children who showed signs of suicide were concentrated in children who were learning remotely at home. In addition, it has been pointed out that 'because of not attending school, families are closed and cases of child abuse are less likely to surface.'

Sullivan Morgan, who raises two sons in San Francisco, finds that his child's mental health is deteriorating as he continues to study online while waiting at home. The eldest son, 11 years old, stopped eating and started to stay in his room and stare at the ceiling in bed. Also, the 8-year-old second son began to scream and cry many times.

So, in December 2020, Morgan consulted with her husband to sell her house and decided to move to Texas, where public schools are reopening. The sons seemed to be well after going to school five days a week, saying, 'Children are young and resilient, but there are limits. Children have finally regained their original self.' Said Morgan.