Ameliorating the impact of COVID-19 on child and adolescent mental health: Lessons learned in 2020

ABSTRACT

While many children enjoy good health and high quality of life, mental illness is one of the leading causes of disability in children and adolescents around the world (Bjerre et al., 2021). The COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to worsen these mental health problems due to the unique combination of public health crisis, social isolation, and economic recession (Golberstein et al., 2020). The purpose of this review was to determine what is required to ameliorate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on child and adolescent mental health for the remainder of the pandemic and beyond. Following PRISMA guidelines, this qualitative systematic review of literature evaluated the impact COVID-19 and its subsequent restrictions have had on child and adolescent mental health. Twenty-eight research articles focused on youth between the ages of 5 and 18 years (n=60,490) impacted by COVID-19 restrictions were reviewed. Themes identified in the review include significant increased risk of mental health problems for children, adolescents, and families during the pandemic, with specific populations identified at a further risk of more significant mental health problems. Uncomplicated access to mental health services, minimization of school closures, the importance of effective coping skills and routine physical activity are identified as factors necessary for the protection of child and adolescent mental health throughout the remainder of the pandemic and in future emergency planning. Application of these research findings in mental health professional practice will be essential in the effort to ameliorate the impact of COVID-19 on child and adolescent mental health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)