Children affected the most by C-19 Viru
In an exclusive interview by Khmer Times with victims and mental health experts, they all agreed that it is crucial to prevent discrimination against children.
Peng Chandavy is the mother of a 12-year-old son who recovered from the Covid-19 Delta variant in October. She said that her son’s behaviour changed after he stayed isolated for more than 21 days.
“Our neighbours have treated us differently, including my children. Some of our neighbours instructed their own children not to play with my son because he used to be infected with the virus,” she said.
“We can’t blame them because they are protecting their children, but when my son tells me that he wants to play with his friends but no one will play with him because he used to be infected with Covid-19, I am broken inside because I can’t help my son with that,” she added.
Som Sophan is the mother of a 15-year-old daughter who recovered from Covid-19 in December under home treatment. She said that even though the condition of her daughter was mild, still nobody wanted to talk to her.
“She is not a criminal just for being infected with Covid-19. She doesn’t want to be treated this way. I am praying that the Covid-19 pandemic will end and my child and other children will feel blissful,” she said.
Doctor Oum Nhel, a psychiatrist and deputy director of Battambang Referral Hospital, said that children have met major challenges during this pandemic. They were all made to stay at home to prevent catching the virus and they became lonely, but it was even worse for children isolated because they were infected.
“The ones who contracted the virus, both older and younger people, needed to stay isolated physically not mentally. I have seen that the children who fully recovered from Covid-19 are facing bullying or discrimination among their friends at school or those who are around them at home,” he said.
“The children are very sensitive; we are hurting them mentally when we behave like they are disgusting just because they used to be infected with the virus.” Dr Nhel added.
“When people discriminate against them, they feel that they are not good enough – that it is their fault they contracted the virus. They begin to feel unloved and it may lead to suicide in many unexpected ways,” said Dr Nhel.
Doctor Meth Daramoon, a psychiatrist and owner of Amari Mental Clinic said that each person has the right to protect themselves from the variant and not to be discriminated against by others.
“Imagine that when we are placed in the (quarantine) centre and stay isolated, we may feel lonely. If the children – the young ones – stay in the same situation, how much worse do they feel,” he said. “We should prevent acts of discrimination immediately by saying if you can’t motivate them, don’t bully or discriminate against them.”
World Health Organization representative Dr Li Ailan told Khmer Times that children faced a particularly difficult time when schools and childcare centres were closed to prevent transmission. This physical isolation could have led to feelings of boredom, stress or loneliness.
“The stay-at-home measures have come with a heightened risk of children witnessing or suffering violence and abuse. Children with disabilities, children in crowded settings and those who live and work on the streets have been particularly vulnerable,” she said.
“We know that the Covid-19 pandemic is not over. New variants will come. It is crucial that we continue to consider the mental health of our loved ones and others in our community and take care of our own mental well-being,” she added.
“People who are affected by Covid-19 have not done anything wrong, and they deserve our support, compassion and kindness,” said Dr Ailan.
Dr Ailan said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has been difficult for us all – stress, depression and anxiety have increased around the world. The impact of the pandemic on people’s mental health is very much a cause for concern.”
“Social isolation, fear of contagions and loss of family members have been exacerbated by the distress caused by loss of income or work. Mental health needs must be treated as a core element of our response to and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.
Dr Ailan pointed out that the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to urgently increase investment in services for mental health and also represents an opportunity to build back better, so that these services are fit for the future.
With World Health Organization technical support, the Education Ministry’s School Health Department has recently adopted the Operation Guide for Psychological First Aid in Schools (PFA-S) for Cambodia as an important supplementary material along with a mental health component of the Health Education Curriculum.
This PFA-S has been developed to contribute to the promotion of mental health in schools and as a supporting document for educators in responding to student issues such as misbehaviour, bullying, violence, truancy, stress and harassment, in addition to Covid-19, natural disasters and other events that can traumatise students.
The Operation Guide of PFA in schools covers understanding PFA (psychological health, common mental health issues, crisis events that may cause people distress and PFA); and characteristics of PFA performers (codes of conduct, awareness raising of existing emergency response measures and self-care).
It also explains good communication, preparation, core principles of PFA, ending help and helping those with special needs or requiring specific attention; and “caring for yourself and people around you” (getting ready to help, managing stress and how to care for yourself).
In 2021, there were 1,310 schoolteachers in eight provinces and Phnom Penh who gained knowledge and skills in the PFA-S in the context of Covid-19. The trained teachers are able to provide appropriate assistance and intervention to vulnerable students at their schools.
Comments
Post a Comment