Holidays, Coronavirus, & Kids
COVID-19 restrictions and their impact on holiday celebrations are sure to take a toll on the mental health of children, but their are ways to ease their anxiety. NBC's Sarah Dallof reports.
(NBC News) — As holiday decorations go up, warnings from health experts are coming down: The safest celebrations are ones with members of your household only.
That has parents worried.
“We’re seeing an increase in referrals for behavioral health services across the country for children,” says Dr. Parker Huston of Nationside Children’s Hospital.
A study by nationwide reveals 62 percent of parents believe the holidays will be difficult on their kids’ mental health, as days grow shorter and states increasingly reinstate restrictions.
“Maybe they felt for a while that I’m going back to school a little more now, and things are getting a little more relaxed, and numbers seem to be going down in my area. And now all of a sudden to be reversing that trend,” Dr. Huston notes.
Dr. Huston encourages families to recognize the holidays will look different this year and come up with new ideas to safely celebrate.
One idea: Focusing on others, especially those who are also missing family and friends.
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