Experts of mental health and pediatricians have warned that the global pandemic Covid-19 has resulted in a long delay in regular teaching, leading to a decline in children’s participation in classrooms and enthusiasm to extracurricular activities.
“If left untreated on scientific and medical grounds, the future of children will be adversely affected and cannot be remedied,” it was informed at a workshop held at the Health Icon Medical and Diagnostic Center along University Road today.
The theme of the workshop was “The effects of the Covid-19 and the emotional and psychological behavior of children.
Addressing the workshop, Dr Vas Dev, said that the trend of drug use among the children of older classes had increased during the long holidays of Covid and in addition, ice, crystal, marijuana and cocaine cases were also on the rise, especially in the posh areas.
The government and social organizations should also looked into this issue, he advised.
Dr Kulsoom Haider said that teachers should focus on children at schools and parents at home.
She said: “If they observe any change in their attitudes and tendencies, they should find a solution through mutual communication. Mental health experts can also be consulted.”
She said that it was necessary to keep an eye on the children studying in religious madrassas along with the school. Ms Hina highlighted various ways to control children’s anger and test their intelligence.
Dr Sajid Jabbar said: “These days, there are already common complaints that children have abdominal pain during school which recover soon after coming home.
Parents need to see that the child has abdominal pain with other complaints such as mild fever, nausea and dizziness, and if so, consult a pediatrician for such children, and in other case you should consult other mental health professionals.”
Sanbal Mujeeb said that teachers should try to involve students in the class and parents should try to stay positive at home.
“As a nation, it is our habit to stay in thoughts of the past or the future. We must try to stay in the present.
If this path is difficult, then we must follow the same path because it will brighten our future. We have to decide how to live today and for the sake of our future.”
Dr Zobia Ramzan, while explaining the ways to arouse the interest of studies in children without hurting their self-esteem, said that it is generally believed that children should be inclined towards studies without being harsh.
“This impression is not entirely correct but there is no need of bullying , scolding and reprimanding to make the child feel insulted.”
Dr Zakia Iftikhar and other experts said that at present, all children in general, especially those with changed behavior need to be thoroughly examined.
Their psychology needs to be understood. During the workshop, the experts also answered the questions of participants and discussed various ways to solve the problems. Participants appreciated the program and suggested to continue the activity.
