Help children and adolescents identify and reach out to positive supports
Research has shown the importance of a stable adult figure in the development of resilience in children.4,5 Ideally, parents will be a major positive support to their children in times of crisis. When parents are not appropriate supports, teachers, coaches, mentors, grandparents, or other extended family members can provide the needed support for children to be resilient across educational, emotional, and relationship domains.4 To find out who your patients have as a stable adult figure, ask the following or a related question: “Who do you have in your life who you can talk to or get support from on a regular basis?”
Screen for substance use and mental health challenges
Do this for children, adolescents, AND adults. Then treat and refer to appropriate treatment as indicated. Rates of depression, anxiety, suicide, substance use, and overdose all have increased with recent events.6 Treating parents with mental health and substance use disorders will not only facilitate their ability to be a positive support and role model for their children and promote resilience, but it has been shown to decrease child psychopathology.7 Providing parents with referrals for substance use and mental health services as well as educating them on the importance of self-care is vital for helping the development of children.
Provide parents with resources on how to cope with ongoing stressors
These stressors may be related to the COVID-19 pandemic, racism, or both. By providing resources to parents, they can better help their children overcome stressors. Multiple organizations have free online collections to support parents and families including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and many others (See below for a list of resources).
Encourage families to find and develop purpose and meaning during this time. Children and families have devoted their time to many activities, some more adaptive and health promoting than others. If we think of resilience as the process of “moving forward” then developing goals and plans to be productive can be helpful and “meaning-making.”3 Spending time together as families, developing skills, accomplishing goals, becoming involved in important social movements, or volunteering all can be ways that individuals and families can develop feelings of self-worth, purpose, and accomplishment.2
Dr. Heward is a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the University of Vermont, Burlington. He said he had no relevant financial disclosures. Email him at pdnews@mdedge.com.
Resources: Coping with COVID-19
1. American Academy of Pediatrics HealthyChildren.org page on COVID-19.
2. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry COVID-19 Resources for Families.
3. American Psychiatric Association COVID-19 Resources for Families.
4. American Psychological Association COVID-19 Information and Resources.
Resources: Racism and discrimination
1. American Academy of Pediatrics Talking to Children About Racial Bias.
2. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Racism Resource Library.
3. American Psychological Association Bias, Discrimination, and Equity Resources.
References
1. “Double jeopardy: COVID-19 and behavioral health disparities for Black and Latino communities in the U.S.” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (Submitted by Office of Behavioral Health Equity).
2. “Building your resilience.” American Psychological Association.
3. Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2014 Oct 1. doi: 10.3402/ejpt.v5.25338.
4. Psychological and biological factors associated with resilience to stress and trauma, in “The Unbroken Soul: Tragedy, Trauma, and Human Resilience” (Lanham, Md.: Jason Aronson, 2008, pp.129-51).
5. Biol Psychiatry. 2019 Sep 15. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.07.012.
6. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020;69:1049-57.
7. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2008 Apr;47(4):379-89.