By now, we should be well aware of the precautions to minimize the spread of COVID-19. We should also take steps to safeguard our mental health, including the mental health of children, who may only be aware of bits and pieces of the total story.
The best source for any reliable news are health organizations, not just for our physical health but also our mental health.
The CDC has a page dedicate to mental health and coping related to the virus. It includes information for supporting yourself as well as for you to help your children.
Taking Care of Yourself
Not surprisingly, the CDC’s top tip for safeguarding your mental health is to limit your exposure to media coverage of the virus. In journalism circles, the cliché about “if it bleeds, it leads” is true: the media will have a tendency to lead with stories that may garner the most clicks, views, and shares, but that may put an unnecessary bad spin on circumstances.
While some of these news articles may be useful, they may give the impression of things being worse than they really are. This is were real facts can put things in perspective. So pay attention to the sources of news you read.
Be equally careful when reading source that disseminate conspiracy theories or negate the need to take precautions. Just because someone doesn’t want things to be true, doesn’t mean that they are not true.
The CDC’s second suggestions is for you to get plenty of rest, eat healthy and exercise regularly. These are things that we should do regardless of a pandemic, but they take on a special meaning because not only do they keep us healthy, but doing these normal things give us a sense of normalcy that may otherwise be missing given the current state of things.
Refer to the original CDC page on coping with COVID-19 or their main page on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 for more.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has published a pamphlet (pdf) on Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak.
Helping Your Children Cope
As is frequently the case with children, they learn from us: parents, grandparents, and other adults in their lives. Just as you may look for tips to help a child deal with divorce, you can find tips to help your children deal with what is going on right now.
However, each child is different, just like adults; and how they cope in dealing with this or any other situation has a lot to do with what they see us do.
Because each child will respond in their own way, the CDC gives you some things to watch out for, including:
· Excessive crying and irritation
· Returning to behaviors they have outgrown (e.g., toileting accidents or bed-wetting)
· Excessive worry or sadness
· Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits
· Irritability and “acting out” behaviors
· Poor school performance or avoiding school
· Difficulty with attention and concentration
· Avoidance of activities enjoyed in the past
· Unexplained headaches or body pain
They also have suggestions for you to help and support your child. This includes the same advise as to limiting exposure to media coverage of the event, and ensuring that children understand what they are hearing/reading on the news.
Like the CDC, the WHO’s pamphlet includes information on helping your children.
COVID-19 may be new, but our resilience is not. We are—each of us and together—well equipped to deal with the virus if we deal with facts, prepare adequately, and address each challenge as they come, one day at a time.