One of the demographics most profoundly impacted by the COVID-19 management has been children and families with small children.

Here are a few stats our team recently found...

A survey done by Sick Kids in Ontario found that across 6 areas of mental health (depression, anxiety, irritability, attention span, hyperactivity and obsessive-compulsive behaviour) over 70% of school-aged children and over 66% of pre-schoolers had declined in at least one area since the pandemic began.

Those on the autism spectrum reported the greatest deterioration. The study reported that one very concerning finding was the significant proportion of otherwise healthy school-aged children who were experiencing increased depression, anxiety, irritability or reduced attention spans.

Another study on the other side of the nation through the BC Children’s Hospital showed two-thirds of children reported having anxiety or suicidal thoughts during the pandemic, up 30% before COVID. These stats are not insignificant.

Here to discuss how COVID has been impacting children and their families, and what we can do to support, is Elyse Schipper. She is the executive director of PLEO a non-profit group of parents and caring Canadians bringing practical assistance to families in need. Joining her is child and family therapist, Nathan Pillai, who works with children’s counselling at the Bayridge Counselling Centre, a respected service provider in Burlington.

Both of these individuals are from Ontario, one of the areas of Canada with the strictest COVID-19 lock-down protocols affecting children.

Thank you for joining us.

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