WHO: Corona epidemic has significant impact on the mental and psychological health of children and adolescents

 Geneva, (ST) –  The World Health Organization (WHO) has affirmed that the Corona epidemic has greatly affected, in varying proportions, the mental and psychological health of children and adolescents, especially girls.

A report issued by the organization’s regional office in Europe stated that the Corona epidemic had a significant impact on the mental and psychological health of children and adolescents all over the world, and older school girls were among the groups most affected, so there is a need to highlight targeted intervention and develop psychological support systems to mitigate long-term consequences.

WHO indicated that the worrying thing is that adolescents from less affluent families were more likely to report the negative impact of the epidemic on their lives even if they received the same level of social support as their richer peers.

The Organization called for highlighting the urgent need to provide additional support to vulnerable and fragile segments of the population.

For his part, Hans Kluge, Director of the WHO Regional Office in Europe, stated that these conclusions were based on surveys conducted between 2021 and 2022 on a wide range of issues, including the impact of age, gender, economic status, social support structures, school closures, and youth and adolescents not going during the spread of the Corona epidemic and the impact of the aforementioned factors on their mental health.

Raghda Sawas