The negative mental impact of a pandemic like COVID-19 is well-known and documented. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, now 1 in 3 Americans is showing signs of clinical depression and anxiety. Coping with this (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime event is something that a human brain has a hard time assimilating to: extreme and extended social distancing can make one feel anxious and isolated, constant vigilance to adhere to hand washing and mask wearing protocols and the 24/7 news media can increase one’s stress and anxiety levels, financial insecurity from the widespread economic fallout from the pandemic, fear of getting sick, and the unprecedented levels of community spread of the disease are just some of the reasons why people may feel anxious and depressed. Americans have been hard hit: with just 4% of the world’s population, we have 25% of the world’s COVID-19 cases, and researchers, doctors, and scientists alike are fearful of a “twindemic” where flu season and a second wave of COVID-19 cases will coincide over winter, once most outdoor activities become infeasible when the temperature drops across the country.

Children, and especially children with chronic conditions like diabetes that put them at higher risk for more severe reactions to the virus, are especially susceptible to the mental health impacts of the pandemic. A recent study from the American Journal of Pediatrics of over 1,000 U.S. parents in early June showed that 27% said their mental health had worsened since March, and 14% said their children’s behavior problems had gotten worse. Families with younger children reported worse mental outcomes than those with older children. About 10% of all families said their children’s mental and behavioral health worsened.

Vanderbilt University researchers said that disrupted routines are hard on young children, and in the study, 48% of families reported losing their normal childcare. Abnormal school routines can also be hard on children.

“In some communities, school will be remote, and schools should consider working with pediatricians and mental health professionals on how they may address the mental health of children, parents and staff even when school is remote,” the researchers wrote. “To implement these strategies effectively, Congress could consider enhanced funding to schools to address schools’ budgetary challenges related to implementing these recommendations.”

In another study out of China, published in JAMA Pediatrics, researchers in Hubei province,  examined a sample group of 2,330 school-aged children for signs of emotional disturbances. The children had been on lockdown for an average of 33.7 days. Even after one month, 22.6% of children reported depressive symptoms and 18.9% were experiencing anxiety.

These problems are exacerbated in children with diabetes for a few reasons. First, since most children are spared the brunt of the disease, many children without chronic conditions are starting to socialize again, with many schools across the country going back to in-person classes, sometimes with the option for remote learning for students who don’t feel safe. This leaves those affected by chronic disease feeling more isolated than ever before. It’s not just young children that are feeling the negative mental health repercussions of the pandemic. Teenagers and young adults are affected, too.

Ian Fleming, a freshman at CU Boulder, says, “Starting college as a freshman this year has been very difficult. I was looking forward to football games and parties. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I will have to wait for the traditional college experience. I have been overwhelmed and scared because I have type 1 diabetes; I could still have serious complications if I contracted the virus. Being a college student has not helped with this stress as I am in a place where kids are still partying and being irresponsible when we need to unite and protect each other.”

Another college student in Colorado, Faith Riddell-Harding, says, “There are still students (on campus) who are going out and partying, which as someone who is high risk, is somewhat infuriating. I could not justify having a dorm roommate this year, with my compromised immune system, so I worked with the University Disability Center to request a single, until a vaccine is available.”

Second, children and young adults with diabetes are already at heightened risk for depression and anxiety, with rates estimated between 13-17%. Those with diabetes are twice as likely to receive a psychiatric diagnosis by age 18 as kids without the condition. Adding the fear, stress, and anxiety of an uncontrolled pandemic on top of that can mean a recipe for disaster.

Izzy Myszak from Indiana says, “Having type 1 diabetes already brought my mental health down. Coronavirus and T1D has skyrocketed my anxiety.”

Lynda Jimenez, of Arizona, adds, “It’s hard to watch your friends and family not taking this seriously when you have to be extra cautious as someone with a chronic illness. On top of the worry that comes from a pandemic, we have to deal with this dichotomy too.”

Finally, it can be really devastating on one’s mental health with on-going lockdowns and no end in sight to the pandemic. But there is hope. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed several tools to help you care for your child’s mental health during this time. The COVID-19 Parental Resource Kit offers help for understanding your child’s mental health needs according to their age group. The Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers page helps with common parenting challenges and provides information on building a positive, healthy relationship with your child.

Exercise helps improve mental health. Photo credit: Adobe Stock

Additionally, it’s important to keep children on a regular routine, make sure they’re exercising and getting plenty of fresh air every day, limiting screen time, and that families aim for regular dinners together to ensure that your child is getting both socialization and healthy nutrition. Many families have also created a “social pod” with another family or two to both mitigate COVID-19 risk and maintain mental sanity, while also achieving healthy socialization for their children.

If your child or teenager is exhibiting suicidal ideations or extreme depressive symptoms, call their pediatrician or primary care physician immediately or contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255 to get help immediately.

Maintaining an optimistic outlook and having hope is paramount. Ian adds, “I have been safe and diligent about where I go, who I hang out with, and making sure that I always wash my hands and don’t touch my face, but my hope is that a vaccine comes out soon and we can all have the college experience we were hoping for.”

And sometimes, hope is all we can do.

How has your child with diabetes coped during the pandemic? What strategies have helped you? Share this post and comment below; we love hearing from our readers!

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