British researchers warn that the mental effect of COVID-19 lockdown should not be underestimated and that many suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. The investigators from the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families reported that children are suffering from “increasing levels of worry, fear, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress” due to lockdowns.

According to Newsweek, the researchers cited the impact of school closures, increased time away from their peers and worries about their own health as possible causes for the emotional and mental distress. The experts said that the effects of coping with these issues could have lasting consequences.

Those who already have autism or ADHD as well as previous mental health issues are the most vulnerable, according to the report. It estimated that1.27 billion children worldwide are out of school or childcare.

According to Psychology Today, other studies have indicated that the pandemic could have a negative effect on children’s mental health, and yet parents often do not have the appropriate counseling skills to help their children or themselves.

During the outbreak in China, children who were quarantined had four times the average posttraumatic scores than those who were not. Experts told Psychology Today that home confinement restricted children from their normal lifestyles and had a negative effect on their mental well-being.

They urged public health officials to utilize virtual technology to reach out to affected communities and provide psychological counseling to families in need.

Child psychologist Natalie Phillips told Newsweek that children will most assuredly need counseling when they do return back to school, with new safety regulations in place.

“They have been away from each other, their friendships might change, their teachers will have changed and some kids will be going to a new school,” she said, adding that both primary and secondary schools desperately need professional counselors focusing on the reintegration of children reassuring them, and doing lots of work to help establish new routines.