COVID-19 pandemic brought a complex array of mental challenges for children

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Mithra School, located in Bangalore, India, collaborated with Rainbow Children’s Hospital to spread awareness about the challenges faced by children post-COVID-19 pandemic. More than 1,500 children from schools in the region took part in a walk while carrying signs with messages about issues children are facing.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought a complex array of mental challenges for children. These include grief, fear, uncertainty, social isolation, increased screen time and parental fatigue that have adversely affected children. One of the ways Salesians are working to address these issues is by helping children to get back to their daily way of life. Salesians are also spreading awareness on important topics like physical wellness, being with nature, mental wellness, socialization and immunity.

At the event, doctors and specialists from the health sector spoke about the importance of health hygiene, physical and mental wellness, and daily exercise. Father George PS, manager of Don Bosco Mithra School, spoke about the challenges for teachers while educating students who face difficulties concentrating on the lessons taught in the class. Children also performed a skit where they used first aid in an emergency. Programs at the event also taught children about personal hygiene.

“This was an important program to educate children and the community at large about the issues that many are facing following the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “While Salesians focus on education, they know that children are dealing with much more and aim to address these other challenges to help children and families.”

India has the world’s fourth largest economy but more than 22 percent of the country lives in poverty. About 31 percent of the world’s multidimensionally poor children live in India, according to a report by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative. A multidimensionally poor child is one who lacks at least one-third of 10 indicators, grouped into three dimensions of poverty: health, education and standard of living.

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ANS – India – Children’s Walkathon Spreads Awareness of Post-pandemic Health Problems

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India