Covid-19 could cause long-term damage to young people’s mental health, warns charity

The research, published by mental health charity Young Minds, revealed the level of concern caused by the pandemic increased to three quarters (77 per cent) among parents whose children had required mental health support in the previous three months.

The survey of 1,854 parents and carers, carried out between 9 April and 10 May, highlighted signs and symptoms reported by respondents indicating how the Covid-19 outbreak was affecting their children’s mental health.

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These include an increase in anxiety and depression, difficulties coping with a lack of structure and routine.

Others reported their children finding it difficult to sleep or increased attachment to their parent or carer.

The charity said the publication of its findings had been timed to coincide with the launch of a new campaign, Beyond Tomorrow, calling on the government to limit the long-term impact of the pandemic on young people’s mental health by increasing access to support and advice.

It follows the survey’s finding that 25 per cent of parents and carers said they did not know where to access support for their children’s mental health during the Covid-19 crisis.

Moreover, nearly a third (29 per cent) of respondents disagreed that there was enough support such as information, helplines and resources, available to help them and their child get through the current situation.

Of the total number of parents and carers that took part in the survey, 745 said their children had received some form of mental health support including from the NHS, charities, schools or helplines, in the previous three months.

However, since the pandemic a quarter of parents and carers said their child was no longer accessing mental health support.

The same figure (25 per cent) said their child was no longer able to access to mental health support, but still needed some form of help.

Contrary to this, more than 60 per cent said their child was receiving the same level of support but delivered in a different way such as a remote support session or on a reduced basis.

The charity said its results correlated with a previous survey of young people with mental health needs that showed 26 per cent of respondents who had received mental health support in the run-up to the crisis said they were no longer accessing specialist support.

This was either because the services were no longer available or due to barriers they faced accessing remote support that had been offered, it added.

Many parents and carers that responded to the charity said they wanted contact with mental health professionals who were previously supporting their child.

Other helpful measures could include online counselling services, advice on coping strategies, age-appropriate mindfulness activities and resources from schools to help with mental wellbeing, the research suggests.

Emma Thomas, the charity’s chief executive, said the Covid-19 pandemic had turned the lives of millions of children and young people upside down.

“Many young people are finding it hard to cope with isolation, a loss of routine, anxiety about the future, a disruption to their education, and in some cases difficult or traumatic experiences at home.

“The government needs to take action, to make sure that support is available for young people and families who need it, now and as we emerge from the pandemic,” she said.