MENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON CHILDREN

Introduction: The COVID-19 outbreak brought new challenges to the everyday routine of children, such as lockdowns, school closures, and social isolation. Such disruptions have influenced the mental state of children around the world, including in Pakistan, considerably. Objective: To assess the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children visiting Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Abbottabad. Material and Method: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out at CMH Abbottabad during the period of six months, January 2020 to June 2020. They selected children between 6 and 16 years of age who were registered by parents as having behavioral or emotional disturbances during lockdown. Trained clinical psychologists conducted a structured questionnaire to measure the following symptoms, including anxiety, aggression, sleep difficulties, and school regressions. Results: Among 150 children, 61.3% experienced feelings of anxiety, 52% displayed irritability and aggressiveness, and 48% had difficulties with sleep. Dis-concentration and depressive symptoms were also common complaints. Children in the 6 to 10-year age category and rural children were more disadvantaged. Conclusion: The impact of the pandemic on the mental health of children was substantial, and there was a noticeable rise in both emotional and behavioral disturbances. The research notes that early mental health policies and interventions against children should be done in the case of a public health emergency.