Concerning rise in anxiety in kids
With students returning for a full school term post lockdown and restrictions, staff are noticing a massive rise in mental health and behavioural issues across the state.
New research by Medibank has indicated parents are underestimating the mental health toll of the pandemic on their children — showing one in two 16- to 24-year-olds surveyed felt depressed in the past year, with 70 per cent of parents unaware of their children’s struggles.
Forty per cent of young people are choosing not to see friends in person as much as they did prior to the pandemic and 55 per cent have unhealthy eating habits.
Kyabram P-12 College Chaplain Liz Spicer said she had noticed more children having anxiety over the past couple of years.
“A lot more children have presented with severe anxiety due to the pandemic,” she said.
Ms Spicer said snap lockdowns were a big foactor.
“I had a year 12 student burst into tears when they announced a snap lockdown one time last year,” she said.
“The mask-wearing rules and continued uncertainty regarding their future, plus learning from home had placed severe pressure on children, families and teachers.
“They asked me about life and death. Being a chaplain is a good thing because we can speak about that and reassure them.
“Young students thought they would die if they caught COVID, the fear in children was palpable.”
She has to reassure students every day things are going to be all right.
“I feel it’s an honour to work with students that have anxiety and to be able to reassure them and give them hope,” Ms Spicer said.
“To be able to have those spiritual talks is the great part of chaplaincy, as we are able to have a chat about life.”
She also spoke about how being away from school had stalled the social development in children.
“Some of the students are presenting two years behind where they should be at socially for their year level, it has been expressed to me by staff, and I have noticed the social immaturity as well,” she said.
Ms Spicer said many children’s last full school year would have been a couple of years ago, meaning socially they weren’t aligned with their current year level.
Ms Spicer said the other chaplains and teachers had found they had had the same issues with children not being able to follow basic instructions and play together in the playgrounds.
“There was a shortage of teachers, as some weren’t vaccinated and wanted to work, some had COVID or were close contacts,” she said.
“It’s been difficult for the teachers but they have been amazing, especially during remote learning.
“They are trying to teach the content as well as help with the behaviours.”
In discussions with other chaplains in the area, Ms Spicer said there had been suicide attempts by students and ex-students.
A student expressed to Ms Spicer that they would not have lasted through the lockdowns if they had not had the chaplain come and see them every week, to have that counsel and release to express their thoughts.
She said the student said being able to talk to someone and to be comforted was what had assisted them in getting back to doing well.
“We need to reassure children and bring them into a more positive climate POST-COVID,” Ms Spicer said.
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