3.O. Workshop: Children and adolescents’ mental health during the corona pandemic

Abstract

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented public health crisis impacting all age groups and all areas of society, irrespective of the risk of exposure or disease severity. In fact, containment measures put into place, such as social distancing, limiting mobility or closing of schools, carry many risks for health, especially for mental health. It is also said, that the pandemic accentuates existing health risks. Childhood and adolescence is characterized by ongoing physical, social, emotional and academic developments and dependencies, and is therefore considered a population of increased vulnerability. While this age group is not a high risk group for SARS-CoV 2 diseases, they are heavily impacted by the containment measures, which caused a drastic change to their everyday lives with closures of schools and recreational activities, social distancing and stay at home orders. Loss of day structure and contact to friends can be destabilizing. Children and adolescents rely on their parents for stability and security. However, the general and specific fears related to health and economic situation during the pandemic may affect parents' ability to provide this support. First evidence indicates a drastic rise in mental health problems in children and adolescents with potential long-term impact. The workshop addresses mental health in children and adolescents during the pandemic and will provide the opportunity to discuss public health reactions to this mental health crisis. We present four studies with data collected during the lock-down or pandemic, of which two present data on psychological difficulties and associated risk factors, underlining the role of parents in mental health of children and adolescents, while the other two address solutions, namely interventions for improving mental health literacy in adolescents and parental support groups. While the workshop topic relates to COVID-19 pandemic, the lessons-to be learned go beyond the current public health crisis. Key messages Covid-19 containment measures come with serious side-effects for mental health in children in Europe, strongly associated with parental health and economic situation. Public health must address the rise in mental health problems in children during and after the pandemic to ensure a healthy development of this generation.