By Tim Damianidis
September 7, 2023

One of the most compelling things to write about is the issue of children and how they have suffered during the pandemic. For many their plight and suffering has been in silence. Let us look at the many contributory factors.

The broken homes

Broken homes during the COVID crisis, were significantly higher. There wer 56,244 divorces out of 89,164 marriages in 2021, these account for 63.07% of couples (ABS, 2021). The proportion of those divorces that involved children under 18 was around 48%. About a third of all divorces involved children (Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2023). In total that would be 26997 families with children, in 2021, that had a broken home due to divorce. The COVID years saw a dramatic increase in divorces.

The impact of a broken home is a serious matter on the mental well being of children. In one study that was a synthesis of several studies in this field showed or demonstrated that children are affected considerably. Areas affected include their cognitive, behavioral and delinquent attitudes. A conservative 65% of those children end up with delinquent behaviours. Where other figures show almost all children from divorced background undergo a period of delinquent behaviour (Fomby and Cherlin, 2007).

Co-morbid and Peripheral impact

It was further found that children during the COVID crisis demonstrated average to high mental health issues within test populations. Overall, 30.5%, scored in the high to very high range for emotional problems. 26.3% scored in the high to very high range for conduct problems and 9.5% of the sample scored in the high to very high range for hyperactivity/inattention problems. For 20.2% had anxiety and 20.4% had depressive symptoms, that scored in the clinical range (Hudson etal, 2022).

The Impact of Chronic Illness on Mental Health

1. Psychological Distress: A Diagnosis Dilemma

A diagnosis of a chronic illness can be emotionally overwhelming. The shock, fear, and uncertainty that often accompany such news can lead to heightened levels of psychological distress. Patients may experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues as they grapple with the implications of their illness. The prospect of a lifelong medical journey can be daunting, causing profound emotional strain.

2. Emotional Burden of Symptoms and Treatments

The symptoms and treatments associated with chronic illness can take a toll on one’s mental health. Chronic pain, fatigue, and disability can lead to feelings of frustration, anger, and sadness. Additionally, the side effects of medications or invasive procedures can contribute to emotional distress. Coping with these physical challenges often necessitates significant psychological resilience.

3. Social Isolation and Stigmatization

Chronic illness can also result in social isolation and stigma. As individuals may struggle to engage in typical social activities due to their condition, they may become increasingly isolated. The stigma associated with certain illnesses can lead to feelings of shame and low self-esteem, further exacerbating mental health issues.

The Influence of Mental Health on Chronic Illness

1. Stress as a Precipitating Factor

Mental health conditions can serve as a precipitating factor for the development or exacerbation of chronic illnesses. Chronic stress, which is often a component of mental health disorders, has been linked to various physical health problems, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. High levels of stress can weaken the immune system and disrupt the body’s ability to heal and recover.

2. Medication Adherence and Lifestyle Choices

Patients with chronic illnesses who also have mental health concerns may struggle with medication adherence and making healthy lifestyle choices. Depression, for instance, can sap one’s motivation to manage their condition effectively. This can lead to worsening symptoms and complications, creating a vicious cycle of declining physical health.

3. Impact on Healthcare Utilization

Mental health issues can also influence healthcare utilization among individuals with chronic illnesses. Patients experiencing anxiety or depression may be less likely to seek medical care promptly or adhere to recommended treatments. This can result in delayed diagnoses and poorer overall health outcomes.

What can we do?

It is evident that the COVID years have had a large impact on society. One of the neglected topics has been it’s impact on chidren from divorced familes, with co-morbid or chronic illnesses that also endured COVID. How much can you ask from a young person to stomach? This is the very fabric of our next generation and our future that we are talking about. What chance were these kids given. It is time for the health care system to take shape and accommodate the young. No-one cares if a child hospital looks cool or like a military medic centre, the real deal is what we want. We don’t want fancy service but we want service that makes a difference, real science, real medicine. Will any of this come back into our lives? It is uncertain. We need a united voice on this issue as it has cost the lives of many children already.

Back in 2020 a number of children died because of the issues raised here. The then Mental Health Minister Roger Cook said the government needs to do more for children with mental illness. As un-elected Premier of Western Australia he has done arguably nothing of significance on the matter to date.

References