With a lot of uncertainty prevailing around the pandemic, the state’s paediatric task force is of the opinion that psychological stress created by the news related to death and disease and also the absence of a social life were mentally affecting children, bringing about behavioural changes. The task force has chalked out a plan to track such cases of mental trauma among kids, which are either going unnoticed or families don’t know how to deal with them, and provide them with the assistance needed to address the problems.

Psychological problems

Dr Suhas Prabhu, paediatrician and chairperson of the state paediatric task force, said unlike adults, the manifestation of psychological problems in children is different and hence it is important for people to be aware of it for early detection. The task force would also reach out to paediatricians across all cities in the state to sensitise them on how to identify and address such cases in the right way.