how the trauma of the pandemic has affected us
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the covid-19 pandemic has been tough on children, but they aren’t the only ones who are struggling. getty
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canadians are speaking out about the psychological impact of the pandemic.
in the latest lifeworks mental health index, 56 per cent of parents say their children are experiencing psychological, academic and social challenges, all of which may threaten their growth and development.
according to the index, the greatest impact on mental health is being reported in children ages 10 to 14 while more than one-quarter of older teens are anxious about the future. nearly half of parents also revealed that their children’s academic and social development has worsened over the last two years – a finding that is consistent with the wide-ranging impacts of the pandemic on children around the world.
paula allen, global leader and senior vice president of research and total wellbeing at lifeworks, wants parents to not only to pay close attention to the signs of stress in children, but initiate conversations about what they are experiencing and consider getting expert support in navigating any existing issues and life beyond the pandemic.
“don’t assume that it’s going to get better,” allen advises.
according to experts, fussiness, irritability and crying may be signs of stress in young children as well as separation anxiety, sleep disturbances and intense tantrums. older children and teens may experience symptoms such as mood changes, suicidal thoughts, and memory problems, and they may lose interest in friendships, activities, academics and personal hygiene. the loss of a loved one during the pandemic can further impact children of all ages and put them at an increased risk for mental health challenges. parents who are concerned about any changes in behaviour should consult their child’s pediatrician for guidance and request an assessment or referral to a mental health professional.
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the covid-19 pandemic has been tough on children, but they aren’t the only ones who are struggling.
42 per cent of those surveys report tension with colleagues
according to the index, women, people under the age of 40, managers and those employed in wholesale trade or information and cultural industries are also experiencing mental health challenges. more than two in five (or 42 per cent) of those surveyed are reporting tension with their colleagues and conflict with their manager due to lack of support for mental wellbeing, and over pay and compensation differences.
managers themselves aren’t doing well either – the index suggest that they are 50 per cent more likely to experience tension and conflict at work than non-managers, and while reasons for that may vary, allen suggests that at the start of the pandemic, managers were responsible for being empathetic to their employees, for providing good customer service, and for ensuring that the business infrastructure was well-maintained all the while managing their own mental health and personal responsibilities. at this point in the pandemic, managers are expected to navigate new stressors and challenges, including the recession, layoffs and the return to the office.
mental health doesn’t only impact one’s emotional and psychological wellbeing and relationships, but it can also affect the way someone processes information, behaves, interacts or relates to the people around them. while allen acknowledges that a decline in mental health could affect many different aspects of one’s life, she suggests that power dynamics may be at the root of work-related tensions.
“people have different experiences in life based on how others perceive them,” she reveals. “women tend to be perceived as safer for someone to show anger, cynicism or frustration towards them. similarly, people who are younger are perceived as having less power in a work environment and are more likely to get that type of conflict.”
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and while some relationships in the workplace may have grown more tense, it appears that the pandemic is also impacting employee decisions and consumer behaviour. according to the index, 33 per cent of canadians say that they’re willing to work for and support organizations that care about their employees and their mental health. employers that provide meaningful wellness support services to their staff could increase productivity and employee engagement, boost revenue and attract more investors and high-caliber talent, according to some experts.
there is no doubt that the uncertainty and the events over the last two years have taken a toll on many people. according to research, the covid-19 pandemic is a traumatic stressor and one report even suggests that the collective trauma that was experienced around the world has made people more anxious. allen reveals that in the pre-pandemic years, the mental health score in the general population was on an upswing, but since that first lockdown in march 2020, it has dropped about 14 per cent.
“trauma doesn’t go away by itself,” she says, “but recovery from it is possible.”
allen suggests that with the right tools and supports, anxieties and mental health struggles can be addressed, and that processing feelings and having conversations with children, partners, family members, friends and colleagues can help others open up about their mental health and seek professional help if necessary.
“this is a huge wake-up call about how vulnerable our mental health and wellbeing really is, but we have reason to be hopeful if we’re not passive,” says allen.
maja begovic is a toronto-based writer.
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