Covid: Children's mental health is a priority as they worry about spreading deadly disease – Hayley Matthews

I touched on this a few weeks ago but I've noticed a lot of kids struggling just now with their mental health.

Be it because of lockdown, not seeing their friends regularly, being bored, frustrated, scared of the news, fearful for their life etc, it's just awful to witness.

I know how I feel just know when I'm down or anxious so I can only imagine how most kids are doing at the moment. It's only natural when things are so strange and unpredictable.

I don't know how half the kids are coping and I take my hat off to those who are doing well. However, for many, there's a real struggle just now.

It's heartbreaking to hear of kids worrying that their parents might die if they don't wash their hands 20 times a day or if they cough on someone they'll give them a deadly disease. Gosh, what are we doing to our children with all this?

There will be so much damage that will need resolving, especially the repairing of their mental health, after all this is over.

I try and keep an eye on my kids’ moods and tell them to talk to me if they're struggling with anxiety, low mood etc. However, it can be difficult for kids to realise their mental health is dipping.

Children may have been struggling in lockdown as a result of not seeing their friends regularly, being bored, or scared by news reports (Picture: John Devlin)

So please, if you're a parent, check in with your kids – make sure they're OK.

And most importantly of all, be there for them with a great big smile and a hug! They need to be able to talk to us now more than ever. We need to be their rocks through this storm.

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