Honest and regular communication is key to coping with social isolation and the sense of being plunged into unsettling limbo, says Sydney Catholic Schools’ psychologist and education specialist, Sandra Reynolds.

She recommends starting a conversation with your child and keeping up a semblance of routine for children studying from home, even if this just means not being in your pyjamas all day.

“Check in with them on how they’re feeling about this new way of living,” Ms Reynolds advised.

“Monitor how much (COVID-19) media exposure they’re getting, especially for younger children.

“It’s important you’re able to talk them through it, so they’re not feeling scared or confused about what they’re seeing.”

As classes remain suspended during the COVID19 pandemic, so do opportunities for students to socialise, play sports and experience other school-based rites of passage, Ms Reynolds said.

There is also the added pressure on students to remain engaged in a virtual classroom devoid of human interaction.

All these things can lead to stress and anxious feelings, all the more so in students who were already afraid of being left alone, Ms Reynolds said.

“Students should be encouraged to stay connected with close friends and family, via telephone, video calls and messaging,” she said.

“Taking pictures of your daily activities and sharing them with a friend can help reduce feelings of loneliness and boost motivation to get things done. This generation is particularly fond of visual communication, so pictures are a great way of sharing.”

She said teenagers may be worrying about the potential loss of their rites of passage – their graduation, their formal.

“These are the conversations parents need to be having with their kids, exploring how they feel about this loss,” Ms Reynolds added.

She urged parents of children experiencing high levels of anxiety over the recommended extra hand washing during the pandemic, and children already managing obsessive compulsive behaviours around hygiene, to maintain any treatments and ensure they access available support services at this time.

While it may seem to children like no one has answers right now, it is important to help them understand that, although necessary, the changes to their routine are temporary and short term, Ms Reynolds said.

She said Sydney Catholic Schools also offers counselling services, including remote counselling, to help build students’ emotional resilience and teach them to find ways to cope with the changes.

If you need to talk to someone, the following services are also available:

Service Name Details Phone Online
CatholicCare CCareline Delivers free community support and services Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm. 13 18 19 ccareline.org
Mental Health Line Mental health professionals are available 24-7 to answer calls and assist with any mental health concerns, including if you are concerned about someone else. 1800 011 511 health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/Pages/Mental-Health-Line.aspx
Beyond Blue Provides information and support to help everyone achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age. 1300 22 46 36

Coronavirus mental wellbeing support service:
1800 512 348

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Lifeline Provides 24-7 crisis support and suicide prevention services. 13 11 14 lifeline.org.au
Parent Line Counsellors are available to support parents; whether they are worried about their child’s behaviour, keeping track of their learning from home, or seeking support for their own/family’s mental health needs. 1300 1300 52 parentline.org.au/
Kids Helpline A free and confidential 24-7 phone and online counselling service for those aged five to 25 years. 1800 551 800 kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/webchat-counselling