In September 2020, the Children’s Health Policy Centre at SFU published “COVID-19 and the Impact on Children’s Mental Health” to assist policymakers in assessing the social, educational and economic costs faced by B.C. children during the pandemic and in supporting children through mental health consequences. The findings report dramatic increases in rates of anxiety, post-traumatic stress, depression and behavioural challenges compared to the general population of children, as well as disproportionate challenges in socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. This report recommends providing additional necessary prevention and treatment services, ensuring public investments go towards effective interventions, preventing avoidable childhood adversities including by reducing socioeconomic disparities and tracking child outcomes.
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Indigenous Peoples
Address underlying social disparities and build resilience
Recommendation 3: Another crucial step is to address the social disparities that amplify the risks for harm following an event such as COVID-19. Particular attention should be paid to children who are already disadvantaged. The pandemic can be the instigation to launch initiatives such as: ensuring that no children are living in precarious socioeconomic circumstances; augmenting support services for children in need; reducing the number of avoidable adversities that children face in addition to COVID-19, including addressing racism; and rectifying inadequate living conditions in many Indigenous communities, as well as raising the levels of funding and support for child health, social and educational programs to achieve parity with non Indigenous communities. Related to this, approaches that strengthen families and communities can promote resilience when children do have to face adversities. Given the likelihood that the impact of COVID-19 may be enduring, building these foundations for resilience are crucial — through initiatives that reduce disparities and ensure that all BC children can flourish.-
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