As schools reopened following prolonged closures during the pandemic, many students found themselves navigating a new landscape of anxiety and isolation. Ann Sabu, an 18-year-old student from Cambridge, observed that her peers were grappling with heightened levels of stress. This situation reflects a broader concern about the mental health of children and young people, a topic recently highlighted in an article by Professor Tamsin Ford in the British Medical Journal.
Professor Ford's article emphasized the need for children's voices to be included in decision-making processes during emergencies. She noted that significant decisions were often made without considering the perspectives of young individuals. The article was co-authored by Sabu, who is currently studying to become a doctor. Together, they conducted a survey shared with the Cambridge Children's Network and various charities to shed light on the mental health implications of the pandemic.
The investigation revealed that while over 200,000 research studies were conducted on mental health impacts during the pandemic, only 35 focused specifically on children. This discrepancy raises questions about the prioritization of children's well-being in policy decisions. "The impact on children should be front and centre of pretty much every policy decision – but it's really not," stated Professor Ford.
Luke, a 17-year-old from Stevenage, faced a personal battle during this tumultuous period. Diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2020, he had to endure hospital stays that separated him from his younger brother, Ryan. School closures prevented Ryan from visiting Luke, forcing their parents to live apart to facilitate hospital visits. This separation left Luke feeling as if he were in a "big black hole," unable to connect with his brother during a crucial time.
Luke's father, Peter, voiced his frustration regarding the school closures. He believed that schools should have been the last institutions to shut down and the first to reopen. Reflecting on his sons' experiences, he mentioned, "There were no therapy dogs coming in for games, no being in the communal areas. Neither of them got to experience any of that [as a patient and a visitor] for the whole time."
Ann Sabu shared her own challenges upon returning to school. "Going back to school was never the same because you had the one-way system, you had to wear masks, you had to sanitise all the time," she recalled. “It felt very controlling. It felt like Covid took away from our school experience because there were so many regulations and rules.”
This combination of individual stories and empirical research underscores the urgent need for a shift in focus toward the mental health of children and young people. The experiences of students like Luke and Ann illustrate the profound effects of the pandemic on young lives. As society moves forward, it becomes increasingly vital to ensure that children's interests are respected and their voices are heard in shaping policies that impact their lives.
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