Thursday, 01 Oct 2020 11:10 AM MYTA World Vision household survey finds children experiencd severe stress and mental illness during lockdown. — Picture courtesy of World Vision Malaysia
“The stress on families related to the loss of income, reduced access to schooling, and changes to children’s behaviour during quarantine contributes to an increase in the physical and emotional abuse of children.”A recent World Vision household survey conducted found 19 per cent of children experienced severe stress and five per cent have experienced mental illness during lockdown.
The non-profit which works with the most vulnerable children and communities in Mukim Tulid and Mukim Tatalaan in Sabah observed that children in rural communities didn’t have access to telecommunication services or their own devices for them to participate in e-learning.On top of not being able to go to clinics for treatment and regular check-ups due to the suspension of public transportation, there was a shortage of masks, sanitisers and sanitary products for girls.
“The parents meant well but we had to intervene via phone counselling to advise them to change their methods and that’s where the welfare and mental health departments stepped in.” “If you have emotional abuse, it will coexist with physical or sexual abuse and you’ll see the signs. At the Shelter Home for Children, an NGO that shelters abused, neglected and abandoned children, the MCO was a positive experience.
According to senior home manager, GP Joseph these children usually suffer from physical and sexual abuse.