Status: 08.02.2023 4:19 p.m
The consequences of the corona pandemic are still causing psychological stress for the majority of children and young people. That comes from a government report. Health Minister Lauterbach wants to create more therapy places, among other things.
More learning problems, depression or eating disorders: the corona pandemic has had far-reaching effects on the health of children and young people to this day. “Currently, 73 percent are still mentally stressed,” said the Federal Ministries for Family and Health. They referred to the report of an interministerial working group that was passed in the cabinet. He calls for more measures to help children and young people cope. It’s about preventing long-term consequences.
Federal Family Minister Lisa Paus and Health Minister Karl Lauterbach assured when the report was presented that the federal government would provide special support for socially disadvantaged children and young people. Paus said that how well young people survive crises should not depend on social status. Children in cramped living conditions or with parents who are under a lot of stress are hit particularly hard by the consequences of Corona and additional burdens such as inflation.
Government wants to support children in coping with the consequences of the corona pandemic
Philipp Syvarth, ARD Berlin, daily news 5:00 p.m., February 8, 2023
Eating disorders, physical inactivity, depression
The final report of the working group is based on six studies on child health and the consequences of corona, the results of which have already been published. Despite different emphases, they agree that there is an increased psychological burden on children and adolescents and persistent psychosomatic stress.
Eating disorders, lack of exercise and depression increased. Delays in language, emotional and academic development were identified, as well as educational interruptions among young people. If social background was taken into account, the values for disadvantaged children were significantly higher.
Recommendations in five fields of action
In its report, the working group makes recommendations in five fields of action, which are aimed at the federal government, the states and municipalities as well as the health care system and science. It is about early help from birth, child day care, schools, the health system as well as youth and family support.
Despite considerable efforts, there is still “a great need for action, in particular to alleviate the ongoing psychological stress on young people,” says the report.
More therapy places for children and young people
Lauterbach emphasized that he wanted to ensure, among other things, that health promotion be strengthened and that more therapy places be created for children and young people. The healthcare system must make its contribution “to support young people in coping with the psychological and psychosocial burdens of the pandemic,” said Lauterbach. “We are therefore working to ensure faster access to therapeutic care. We are restructuring the financing of hospital treatment for children and ensuring better reimbursement for children’s medicines.”
In addition, the federal government wants to support “the expansion of school psychological services” in a coordinating and financial manner. The statement by the ministers also said that there were newly created legal rights to advice and support in the area of child and family support. Children can now take advantage of psychosocial counseling from the youth welfare office without their parents being informed.