Anxiety Of Socialisation Can Be Cause Of Concern For Students Returning To Schools: Experts
NDTV
On the occasion of World Mental Health Day on Sunday, the healthcare experts said children might face anxiety returning back to schools.
Noting that the Covid pandemic has severely affected the mental health of children, healthcare experts have said that anxiety of socialisation can be a cause of concern for students returning to schools as they were physically away from their friends and teachers for a prolonged period. On the occasion of World Mental Health Day on Sunday, the healthcare experts said children might face anxiety returning back to schools and advised their parents and teachers to watch out for warning signs such as lack of concentration and sudden anger among children since reopening of the schools.
Schools are reopening in several states and Union Territories after remaining shut for months due to the pandemic. The experts believe that anxiety of socialisation can be a cause of concern for students returning to schools as children were physically away from their friends and teachers for a prolonged period due to the pandemic.
Gracy Andrew, vice president and country director for India of NGO CorStone, advised parents to acknowledge and allow their children to express their fear. "Very often parents will negate the feelings by saying 'don't be scared' or 'don't be silly, there is nothing to be scared' - instead it is important to let children express their fears and acknowledge that it is natural to feel anxious. Next is to really probe about what is making them scared? Is it just being with other children or is it fear of getting Covid... then provide them with information about safety and the low risk of children getting severely sick even if they get infected. Parents can support children by just being there for them as they go back to school," she told PTI.
Andrew said teachers too can let children express their fears that can be done in classrooms through activities depending on the developmental age/ level. "Providing them with information about the virus so they have the knowledge and most important is to let attendance not be compulsory - letting children have a choice of going for a few days a week in the beginning and then may be increasing the pace as they settle in," she said.