Pandemic’s mental health impact

Between May 2020 and March 2021, the Anna Freud Centre and the Child Outcomes Research Consortium collated research findings from around the world on the varied mental health impacts of the pandemic as part of our Emerging Evidence series. These free resources provide recommendations for schools and colleges (see box) and tips for young people, parents and carers and researchers.

We wanted to know:

What are the key mental health challenges for children and young people during the pandemic?

Are there any disproportionately affected groups?

What might help children and young people to manage these challenges?

Mixed picture emerging

Our researchers found evidence of a negative impact of the pandemic on young people’s mental health. Numerous studies have shown increases in worry, low mood, grief, and feelings of hopelessness among children and young people, which may be considered normal responses to the range of challenges this period has presented. Many studies also noted increases in the prevalence of significant mental health problems. However, there are also studies that have shown some mental health benefits during this period, with reductions reported in existing symptoms or increases in happiness and calmness. Some children who struggle at school, for example due to bullying or academic stress, may have benefitted from time spent at home. For these young people, returning for the new academic year may feel more daunting than time away from face-to-face teaching did.