talking about plans for the coming day with parents or participating in family activities) and healthy behaviors, including physical activity and adequate sleep.
Which factors contributed to poor mental health?
Significant factors linked with poor mental health were more screen time (including social media and video games) and witnessing racism or discrimination in relation to the pandemic.
Girls and teens who had existing mental health or sleep problems when the pandemic began were particularly vulnerable to the mental health effects of the pandemic.
“This study helps us understand how modifiable lifestyle factors affect the mental health and well-being of adolescents, and it can inform the development of interventions to protect youth during a major life stress. This is important now, as we continue to grapple with the pandemic, and also in future crisis response at the local or national level,” Volkow added in an NIDA news release.
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The study was published Jan. 24 in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
“Focusing on what you can do to support young people, like maintaining as much of a routine as possible, walking at least 10 minutes a day, and strengthening family relationships, really matters during times of stress,” says Fiona Baker, director of the Center for Health Sciences at SRI International in Menlo Park, Calif., and principal investigator of the ABCD study site at SRI.
Depression in Black Children: What Does It Look Like?
How to help your child
Although changes in behavior may not always be easy to spot, you know your child best so it may be easier for you to spot the changes so that you can intervene. If you notice changed behavior such as your child struggling at school or spending less time with family, avoid giving them suggestions or reprimanding them. These could be clues that your child’s mental health is currently struggling.
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Other signs to watch out for include:
- Spending a lot more time alone?
- Sleeping a lot more or less?
- Withdrawing from family or friends?
- Not interested in favorite activities?
- Changes in overall mood?
- More irritated or angry?
- Stuck on negative thoughts?
- Hopeless about the future?
If you spot any of these clues, try to release the judgment. Keep your tone neutral and simply let them know that you care and are concerned. Try saying something like “I’ve noticed that you stay in your room more, instead of coming down to play games with us. Can we talk about that?”
The more you make discussing mental health in your household (including your own) a priority, the more your child will feel comfortable opening up to you.
You should also never be afraid to ask direct questions about suicide and or other hard topics because they will not contribute to the risk, according to Connecticut Children’s. Instead, these questions will show your child that it’s okay to share with you. Here’s advice for talking about suicide.
If your child may be at risk of harming themselves or others, call 211 for support and advice, or dial 911 if they are in immediate danger.
