HYDERABAD: With schools shut, playgrounds inaccessible and venturing out ruled out, children are facing a tough time during the lockdown. Noticing changes in the behaviour and sleep patterns of their wards, tense parents are seeking the help of experts and counsellors.
“Children are energetic and need physical activity to burn the energy. During lockdown, parents have observed behavioural changes in their children. Since they are confined within the four walls for most part of the day, it’s natural that they feel restless, gloomy and irritated,” said Dr Radhika Acharya, a clinical psychiatrist.
According to experts, as children express their emotions through their actions, family should involve them in some kind of physical activity at home. “Schools are closed, but online classes are going on from 9 am to 4 pm and they are given a lot of homework. It is a big change for them,” added Dr Radhika.
Parents are concerned about disturbed sleep patterns, anxiety and depression among adolescents. “Many adolescents are concerned about their entrance exams and the uncertainty lying ahead. This has also led to depression and anxiety among them,” said Dr Praveen Kumar, a psychiatrist from Apollo Hospital.“Parents or adults at home must talk to the children, ask them how they are feeling. Involve them in physical and common activities,” he added.
To help the kids wriggle out of this psychological crisis, city-based child rights NGO, Balala Hakkula Sangham (BHS) collaborated with a psychotherapist to provide free counselling to those aged below 18.“Kids and teens have greater chances of suffering from mental agony and stress as they are confined to their homes. To help them we have opened a tele-counselling facility. Both children and parents can seek help from the expert,” said Achyuta Rao, president of BHS.
Rao said that Dr Lavanya Miriam will provide tele-counselling between 4 pm and 6 pm.
“Children are energetic and need physical activity to burn the energy. During lockdown, parents have observed behavioural changes in their children. Since they are confined within the four walls for most part of the day, it’s natural that they feel restless, gloomy and irritated,” said Dr Radhika Acharya, a clinical psychiatrist.
According to experts, as children express their emotions through their actions, family should involve them in some kind of physical activity at home. “Schools are closed, but online classes are going on from 9 am to 4 pm and they are given a lot of homework. It is a big change for them,” added Dr Radhika.
Parents are concerned about disturbed sleep patterns, anxiety and depression among adolescents. “Many adolescents are concerned about their entrance exams and the uncertainty lying ahead. This has also led to depression and anxiety among them,” said Dr Praveen Kumar, a psychiatrist from Apollo Hospital.“Parents or adults at home must talk to the children, ask them how they are feeling. Involve them in physical and common activities,” he added.
To help the kids wriggle out of this psychological crisis, city-based child rights NGO, Balala Hakkula Sangham (BHS) collaborated with a psychotherapist to provide free counselling to those aged below 18.“Kids and teens have greater chances of suffering from mental agony and stress as they are confined to their homes. To help them we have opened a tele-counselling facility. Both children and parents can seek help from the expert,” said Achyuta Rao, president of BHS.
Rao said that Dr Lavanya Miriam will provide tele-counselling between 4 pm and 6 pm.
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