SINGAPORE - Children have felt the impact of Covid-19 keenly in their lives, as the pandemic has disrupted their daily routines, including their schooling and socialising.
Social service agencies have observed that more children and youth have been approaching them in the past two years for a range of reasons, from feeling lonely and trapped to being stressed.
Tinkle Friend, which provides support for primary school children and is run by the Singapore Children's Society (SCS), recorded 6,033 online chats and calls last year, up from 5,085 in 2019.
Touchline, a hotline for youth, saw a nearly 36 per cent spike in calls last year compared with 2019. This year, the figure grew by about 14 per cent as at October, compared with the same period last year.
Touch Mental Wellness logged more than 100 cases of young people aged 12 to 21 needing help this year as at October. It handled about 30 cases in 2019.
Parents can look out for signs that their children need some extra support amid the pandemic.
Ms Andrea Chan, assistant director of Touch Mental Wellness, which provides mental health services and education, says that children, especially the younger ones, are often unable to articulate words like "stressed" or "frustrated".
"They express their emotions in psychosomatic ways such as having a headache, fever or stomachache," she says.
"If a child regularly has these complaints but medical reasons have been ruled out, chances are that it is an expression of stress."
Other symptoms include trouble concentrating, lower energy levels, being more irritable or changes to appetite and sleep.
Ms Joy Lim, director and head of children outreach at SCS, says children may display internalising or externalising behaviours when they experience difficult emotions.
Internalising behaviours include mood swings, becoming withdrawn or losing appetite and interest in activities that used to excite them, she says.
Examples of externalising behaviour are temper tantrums and showing defiance.
Here are some ways parents can help their children manage their feelings.
Be open about stress
Ms Wong Ying Li, assistant director and head of specialised services division at Fei Yue Community Services, says that for parents to be able to help their children, they, too, first need to practise self-care and be aware of how the pandemic may be affecting them.
Ms Chan says parents can talk openly about what stresses them and how they cope with it.
"Having such conversations sends the message to the child or youth that it is okay to be vulnerable and they can model healthy coping methods and strategies from their parents," she adds.
Listen to your child
Parents can also have conversations with their children about what stress looks or feels like for them, says Ms Chan.
Ms Lim says one way is to reach out to the child in settings that he or she feels safe, like during a meal or when out on a walk.
"Go at the child's pace. If the child doesn't seem to want to talk at first, don't be too pushy and revisit the topic at another time when he or she is relaxed," she adds.
Parents must listen and not be quick to jump to conclusions too, she says, adding that they should not overreact or get emotional as well as it may hinder the child's willingness to share further.
Bond as a family
Experts say that parents should also set aside time for bonding activities, such as reading with younger children or having meals with older ones.
Ms Chan says that families can also explore ways to manage stress together, over a game or movie night, for instance.
Develop coping strategies
Ms Chan advises parents to help their children discover coping strategies that work for them and find what makes them feel better. "If it is singing, encourage them to sing when they are stressed," she says.
"Teach them to use 'I can' and 'I am' statements daily", as these positive statements can help children to build confidence and manage their stressors, she adds.
Getting help
Helplines
• National Care Hotline:
1800-202-6868 (8am - 12am)Mental well-being
• Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline:
6389-2222 (24 hours)• Samaritans of Singapore:
1800-221-4444 (24 hours) /1-767 (24 hours)• Singapore Association for Mental Health:
1800-283-7019• Silver Ribbon Singapore:
6386-1928• Tinkle Friend:
1800-274-4788 and www.tinklefriend.sg• Community Health Assessment Team:
6493-6500/1 and www.chat.mentalhealth.sgCounselling
• TOUCHline (Counselling):
1800-377-2252• TOUCH Care Line (for seniors, caregivers):
6804-6555• Care Corner Counselling Centre:
1800-353-5800Online resources
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