LOOK AFTER EACH OTHER
LAST week we reported that teenage girls were more worried and less optimistic about their future than male peers. The survey of Tasmanian students revealed while our children were resilient during the coronavirus crisis, there was a concern that had crept into the psyche, in particular, of young females.
The second annual Student Wellbeing Survey studied more than 23,000 students from years four to 12 at government schools during 2020.
Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the findings were not too different from previous years despite the huge disruption caused by COVID- 19.
Most children reported feeling connected to the adults in their home, enjoyed good social support, good relationships with their teachers and felt safe and optimistic about the future. All these factors are critical to a healthy and happy society.
But about a third reported being worried about their school and home life and a similar proportion reported not having a nutritious breakfast or a good night’s sleep.
The Mercury last week stressed the need to look out for our young people.
Because if we don’t keep them healthy and confident, what hope do we have?
But healthy and happy kids need healthy and happy adults to steer them through. And discussion about mental wellbeing needs to be paramount.
On Monday there were joyful reunions at the airport as Tasmania opened its borders to COVID- safe states but the impact of months of isolation and uncertainty can’t be brushed off with one warm embrace.
Bringing family and friends back together will be a huge relief to many but there also lingers a fear that we could once again face long lonely days back in isolation.
People are uncertain about their health, their jobs, their children’s future.
Yes, people have been through worse. Yes, people are resilient and we will get through this period just as we did world wars or the Great Depression.
But we should not underestimate the impact prolonged periods of stress can have on a person’s mental health. Because to do so leaves any illness untreated.
You don’t ignore a broken leg or a heart condition and hope that it gets better.
And you don’t tell someone with cancer to toughen up and get over it because their great grandparents had it much harder.
There is a very good chance the pandemic will lead to a surge in mental health problems and just as we’ve put in place action to stop the spread of the virus and measures to cure its economic symptoms, we need to treat other potential consequences of this long period of uncertainty.
If you or someone you know needs help, talk to a GP or health professional, contact a service such as Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636, or a 24- hour service such as Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call triple- 0.