Why young people need help to reconnect after Covid-19

A Form Four day scholar at Kangocho Secondary School in Karatina, Nyeri, doing her homework. [File, Standard]

After the pandemic closed schools last year, hospitals saw a surge in mental health-related emergency visits among children 18 and under. The statistics have been grim enough that a large cohort of the nation’s top pediatricians recently declared a “national emergency” in child and adolescent mental health.

Covid-19 disrupted connections for everyone, but especially children. Cut off from social networks — sometimes even the internet — young people had few opportunities to forge relationships outside the home, said Jenlei Li, the host of a Harvard Graduate School of Education webinar called “The Healing Power of Friendships and Relationships.” They lost chances to connect with peers, teachers, coaches, and guidance counselors.