COVID-19 has taken a toll on the mental health of children and young people, and impacts could be felt for many years to come, UN children’s agency (UNICEF) warned on Tuesday.
Even before the crisis, children and youth were already carrying the burden of mental health conditions and without significant investment in addressing them, according to the latest edition of its flagship report, the State of the World’s Children.
A UN statement noted that globally, more than one in seven adolescents aged 10–19 is estimated to live with a diagnosed mental disorder, while almost 46,000 die annually from suicide, which is among the top five causes of death for this demographic.
Yet wide gaps persist between mental health needs and mental health funding, with only around two per cent of government health budgets going to mental health spending.
The past 18 months have been hard on children, said Henrietta Fore, the UNICEF Executive Director.
“With nationwide lockdowns and pandemic-related movement restrictions, children have spent indelible years of their lives away from family, friends, classrooms, play – key elements of childhood itself,” she said.
“The impact is significant, and it is just the tip of the iceberg. Even before the pandemic, far too many children were burdened under the weight of unaddressed mental health issues.”
Ms. Fore regretted that too little government investment is being allocated to address these critical needs. “Not enough importance is being placed on the relationship between mental health and future life outcomes,” she said.
Preliminary findings from a UNICEF-backed study of children and adults in 21 countries, reveal the extent of the pandemic’s toll. On average. one in five young people said they often feel depressed or have little interest in doing things.
As the pandemic enters a third year, the impact on children and young people’s mental health and well-being continues to weigh heavily, UNICEF stated.
Worldwide, at least one in seven children has been directly affected by lockdowns, and some 1.6 children have suffered some loss of education, according to latest data.
Many children said they feel afraid, angry and worried about the future, due to the disruptions in their routines, education and recreation, as well as concern surrounding family income and health.
Diagnosed mental disorders can significantly harm the health, education, life outcomes and earning capacity of children and young people.
While the impact on their lives cannot be calculated, UNICEF said new analysis from the London School of Economics estimates that mental disorders are costing countries nearly $390 billion a year in lost contribution to their economics.