COPSIE study: How children and young people are suffering from the coronavirus pandemic

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But the fire letter is just the tip of a huge iceberg that has built up over the course of the pandemic. School closures, lockdown, insecurity, maybe even the loss of relatives or at least the constant fear of it – all of this has left its mark on children and young people. This is also shown by the most recent COPSY study by the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf. Although the mental state of the young generation improved slightly in autumn 2021 according to the results presented this Wednesday, more than a third of children and young people still feel that their quality of life is restricted.

Child psychiatrist Manuel Föcker from the University Hospital Münster on the changes caused by Corona

An observation shared by Dr. Manuel Föcker, Senior Physician at the Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy at the University Hospital in Münster, shares. “Since the coronavirus pandemic, more and more patients have reported pandemic-related triggers, such as the loss of their usual daily structure,” he reports in an interview with www.kreiszeitung.de. The fact that children and young people were no longer able to go to school or pursue their hobbies in lockdown has certainly contributed to the development of mental symptoms for some.

In a statement by the Professional Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy in Germany, it says: “Children who were already mentally ill before the pandemic are now showing increasing symptoms, e.g. eating disorders, compulsions and fears.” But there were also children who seemed almost relieved given the perceived easing of school pressure caused by the pandemic. However, as the restrictions last longer, it is foreseeable that these children will also experience more difficulties.

Coronavirus pandemic is a risk factor for mental health problems in children – but not the only one

For psychiatrist Föcker it is clear: the pandemic is a risk factor for the development of mental problems. However, the development of mental illnesses is a highly individual matter. “If several children and adolescents are exposed to the same risk factor, such as the corona pandemic, each of them will still react differently to the stress, because several factors are often involved in the development of mental illnesses and the individual’s protective factors also play a role,” explains the Expert.

In the corona pandemic, it was particularly difficult for those who were already socio-economically disadvantaged. Lower Saxony’s Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD) made a similar observation, as he explains in an interview with www.kreiszeitung.de: “When I’m out and about in schools, I always get similar feedback: Four fifths of the children are okay with the situation coped, unfortunately one fifth did not.” This fifth often included the children and young people who had had difficulties before.

COPSY study by the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf: Every third young person suffers from Corona

According to the COPSY study, every third young person has had mental health problems since the beginning of the pandemic. Accordingly, symptoms such as worries and fears, depressive moods and psychosomatic complaints have increased. According to study leader Dr. Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer is particularly affected by children and young people from socially disadvantaged families or with a migration background.

There are many reasons for the increase in mental health problems. For psychiatrist Föcker, however, the focus is often on the loss of social contacts: “Some children and young people withdrew a lot during the lockdown, but also beyond that. For young people, however, friends are an important pillar that should not be underestimated.” On his ward, where he mainly treats patients with eating disorders, there is another risk factor that is often overlooked: infection with the corona virus. “There is the phenomenon of young people who have had an infection and develop an aversion to food due to the persistent loss of taste,” reports Föcker.

Basic child security and immediate bonus: traffic light government wants to support children and young people financially

The possible therapy options are as different as the mental health problems of children and adolescents are individual. According to Föcker, there is currently a large rush in the outpatient area of ​​child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy. And the waiting lists are sometimes so full that patients have to wait several months for a place in therapy. A topic that the Hanseatic City of Hamburg has now taken on with a multi-million dollar funding package. A total of eight million euros are to flow into additional counseling and support services for schoolchildren with social and psychological problems.

At the federal level, however, the measures are taking off a little more slowly. The traffic light government under Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) announced in its coalition agreement, among other things, basic child security to provide financial relief for low-income families. However, it is not yet known what exactly this will look like. Federal Family Minister Anne Spiegel (Greens) has promised an immediate surcharge for children from financially weaker households.

But money alone will not be enough to significantly improve the situation for children and young people. “Children and young people need to be able to spend time with their peers again in an uncomplicated way, they need to be able to discover and try out new things together. We also have to take care of that in the next few months,” says Lower Saxony’s Prime Minister Weil.

Fears, depression and Co.: Does the corona pandemic have long-term consequences for our children?

According to child psychiatrist Föcker, affected children need understanding above all: “Parents, family, friends, school and psychiatrists and other doctors if necessary – they should all ask themselves: What does the child or young person need now?” A corresponding sensitization of teachers and parents can help to quickly identify possible psychological symptoms. Possible symptoms are a change in personality, sleep disorders, social withdrawal, depressed mood or psychosomatic complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. “Children should learn from a young age how to deal with strong feelings such as anger, fear or sadness.”

Regardless of how children and young people deal with the coronavirus pandemic, they all have one thing in common: They have experienced an enormous additional burden for at least two years of their lives. According to child psychiatrist Föcker, whether this has a long-term effect on their physical and mental well-being also depends on the individual circumstances. And how young people are treated now.

“Now that more is possible again and school can take place again, you shouldn’t immediately switch back to everyday stress. Because the children and young people have worries, fears and problems that should definitely be addressed,” says the expert. Parents should also explain to their children what is going on. What is a virus, what does it do to us and what is happening in our environment right now? These are questions to which children need reliable answers. “Otherwise they fantasize about their own – and in the worst case this can lead to fears becoming established.” *kreiszeitung.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.

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