Prospect of Covid Christmas heightening anxiety for children, study finds

A poll conducted by charity Action for Children found that the coronavirus pandemic is also leaving them anxious, scared of illness and death, lonely, angry and suffering nightmares.

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The survey, which involved more than over 1,000 parents and 1,000 children aged between six and 15, found that 57 per cent if children think their parents will be worried about making it a happy time for their family.

Half of children (49 per cent) reported anxiety as a result of the pandemic crisis, more than a third (38 per cent) were scared of getting ill or dying, a third (33 per cent) were feeling lonely, a quarter of children felt (26 per cent) reported feeling angry, and more than one in eight (13 per cent) said they were suffering nightmares.

Meanwhile one in five (22 per cent) of parents reported that their child had experienced mood swings or panic attacks. One in six (17 per cent) parents said they would cancel Christmas this year if they could.

One teenager with a heart condition and asthma said: "Not being able to see my family is the worst. Now nan is isolating I can’t see her.

"I feel upset that I’ve missed a lot of birthdays this year. Christmas is coming up and even though we might be allowed to mix, I don’t think I’ll be able to see any of them because the risk is too high.”

One mother said: “My fiancé’s hair is falling out from all the stress. We’re probably going to lose our house as our savings have run out. I’m now considering selling my engagement ring.”

Action for Children has launched its Christmas Secret Santa campaign to help struggling families pay for the essentials, like food, warm clothes and a safe place to sleep.

Deputy chief executive of Action for Children Carol Iddon, said: “Christmas should be the most exciting time of the year but instead children and young people are desperately struggling to get through this crisis, with parents wishing away the pressure of the festive season.

“Every day our frontline workers are helping parents keep their heads above water as some face the prospect of eviction or selling belongings to cover the cost of Christmas. While vulnerable children who should be enjoying a safe and happy childhood are suffering nightmares, panic attacks, or being scared of issues like death and illness.

“In a year when children and families have been pushed deeper into crisis, supporting them is more important than ever. Until every family can keep their child warm and well fed, we’ll be there to help them – that’s why we’re asking people to donate to help us make a life-changing difference to vulnerable children this Christmas and beyond.

"But these families cannot rely on the generosity of the British public alone, the Government must play its part. The chancellor must give struggling families peace of mind this Christmas by promising that he will not be cutting Universal Credit payments by over £1,000 a year in the spring.”