Most of what is written about the emotional stresses of the pandemic focuses on adults; as a therapist who sees both children and adults, I think about the kids. Not only have they have suffered in their own unique ways during the pandemic, but they also suffer downstream effects of their parents’ strain during this time.
Surveys from pediatricians and child psychologists regularly document the special strain felt by children; these issues are showing up in my own practice, as well. The reports of added difficulty in school because of online classes; separation from peers and social anxiety, poor focus, and mental exhaustion; and loss of social skills. Collectively, this is what we might call a pandemic of mental health issues for children.