During the pandemic have been noticed the increased number of domestic violence cases, and the hotlines have received more calls asking for help than in the last years. People started experiencing many traumas and fears connected with the coronavirus that has created new stresses and worries. The most psychologically vulnerable group became children due to their still young age and fragile mental health. They were also separated from the outside world and turned to be under the complete parents’ attention. However, it does not always mean a positive effect for children from initially destructive families. Thus, the webinar aims to study the relevant problems such as child maltreatment and domestic abuse during the pandemic analyzing the consequences and premises of the appearance of the issues.
Since many children were forced to stay at home because of the lockdown, they were separated from their peers and adults who could provide them with additional help and protection. Adolescents have fewer opportunities to turn to someone they trust and ask for help, such as teachers, relatives, or family friends. Consequently, the demand for distant ways of phycological help and support has drastically risen (NCTSN, 2021). It is crucial to remember that people will experience new traumas that correlate with the old ones and contribute to poor mental health during the pandemic.
Parents should realize that current challenging circumstances affect children even more and that many reactions and perceptions of the situation they gain from their parents. Children in the youngest age feel confused about all the threats and actions going on since the pandemic, simultaneously with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and numerous debates about police brutality (NCTSN, 2021). The treatment should be adapted to each family’s circumstances and personal approach. Pandemic has also caused the loss or significant reduction in families’ income. This provoked parents to act more aggressively and irritated towards their children since they do not know healthy ways to cope with it and are unaware of the family problems agencies (NCTSN, 2021). The increase in alcohol usage also affected the parents’ behavior and stimulated interpersonal violence. Thus, in the first place, the focus should be put on parents since their well-being directly affects their children and families. Specialists should emphasize the importance of family connections and communications, managing the basic needs, and staying grounded.
However, it is not that easy because those families or victims looking for help cannot get it quickly and effectively due to the restrictions caused by a coronavirus. It is challenging to keep a stable connection with those who need extra support from specialists, and it is even harder to assess the well-being of the children appropriately. Thus, to protect the children and their mental health, parents and other adults in the surrounding should engage (NCTSN, 2021). Teachers, professors, and family friends should pay closer attention to the children’s behavior. If there are troubling signs, try to support the family or recommend special services to help deal with the traumas.
In conclusion, the pandemic has created numerous challenges for families, children, clinicians, and phycological specialists. To deal with the unpleasant and damaging consequences of the pandemic, both specialists and families should recognize the problems and take specific measures. Parents have to be more careful, bring awareness to children about mental health, and educate them on their phycological reactions and experiences. In turn, clinicians can remind society that all the adverse circumstances might combine and develop specialized treatment according to the diversity of traumas.
Reference
NCTSN. (2021). Day One Morning Session: Child Maltreatment, Interpersonal Violence, and Covid-19. Web.