It certainly won't be a return to normal as students head back to school this week amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and one expert says that could cause some anxiety beyond those normal first-day jitters.
Tracy Pulak-D’Aoust works in the child and adolescent mental health program in Southern Health, and she says one of the greatest worries parents and students will likely share this year, is getting sick.
"With themselves getting sick or their parents or loved ones getting sick. Certainly, there will be some anxiety related to the new physical distancing measures and the mask-wearing and the potential for all the alternate learning platforms, some cancellation of programming; all of that uncertainty for kids, who tend to thrive on structure and routine, may intensify their level of anxiety."
Pulak-D’Aoust notes anxiety is a normal emotion that everyone experiences, but says it can be unrelenting which could have longterm effects on the body manifesting itself in the form of headaches, stomach aches, increased meltdowns or changes in their eating and sleeping patterns. She explains that if these symptoms persist past the first few weeks of school, your child could be dealing with problematic anxiety that may not resolve itself.
D'Aoust acknowledges that children are naturally resilient when it comes to overcoming difficult situations, but notes that parents have a vital role to play in helping them manage some of these added worries.
"Just a model calm and confident attitude can be a big help. Our kids are really tuned in to our verbal and non-verbal cues, so I think it's really important for us to reinforce to them in these uncertain times that we can get through it and we will get through it as a family."
Pulak-D’Aoust adds it's important to have honest conversations with your kids, letting them know you are a safe place for them to discuss their worries.
See the list of resources below that are available to parents and youth.
Southern Health-Santé Sud – Community Mental Health Program, Mental Health Access: call 1-888-310-4593
Southern Health-Santé Sud - Crisis Line Service: If you are experiencing a Mental Health Crisis, call 1-888-617-7715
Macdonald Youth Services (MYS): Province-wide 24-hour Crisis Line/Mobile Crisis Teams call 204.949.4777 or 1.888.383.2776
Kids Help Phone: call 1-800-668-6868
Southern Health-Santé Sud - Wellness Support Line
Province of Manitoba – Mental Health Virtual Therapy Program (ages 16 and older)
Kidthink Childrens Mental Health Centre Inc
Thu, Apr 25, 1:00 PM
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