When we think back to the period since last March, when the first lockdown was announced, it’s been such a difficult time for so many.
Almost 130,000 people have died from Covid and millions have been unwell. Almost everyone’s life has been diminished in one way, shape or form. Most of us have experienced greater level of stress, and for some that has meant an increased experience of trauma.
Trauma is a subject that has long fascinated me, and it’s one that the Anna Freud Centre, the charity I chair, has a particular focus on.
Trauma can be caused by a range of experiences and occurrences. It may be triggered by neglect, abuse, or violence, or in other cases it may be a single event such as an accident, bereavement or natural disaster that has longer-term harmful effects.
For those of us who are parents, it is worrying that the prevalence of trauma in young people is high.
More than one in three children and young people experience at least one potentially traumatic event by the time they are 18.
Trauma exposure can if untreated, have a substantial direct impact on the mental health of young people, leading to PTSD, depression, anxiety and other disorders. It also has longer-lasting effect on the mental health of the children when they become adults. Over one-third of adult mental health disorders are associated with childhood trauma.
So we know that untreated childhood trauma not only can have negative consequences at the time but can also have and enduring impact on mental health and wellbeing. It can also affect the person’s ability to form healthy personal and social relationships.
The early years in life are so important. Someone who recognises this is Anna Freud’s Patron, the Duchess of Cambridge, who last month launched her own Centre for Early Childhood. The Duchess is seeking, in her own words, to 'create a happier, more mentally healthy, more nurturing society'. This part of her important focus on Early Years, which has been looking at the roots causes of some of our most pressing social challenges such as such as addiction, homelessness and, of course, poor mental health.
Not surprisingly, because of all the turmoil and disruption during the pandemic, there has been an increase in the number of children and young people who are difficulties with their mental health. Estimates show that this increased from approximately one in eight to one in six children and young people having probable mental health disorder. Young women aged 16-25 are twice as likely to have mental health problem as men of that age.
Covid has caused difficulty on so many levels. The increased prevalence of death and illness amongst parents and elderly relatives has had a knock-on effect on children. Combined with the intermittent closure of schools, parents under work and financial pressure, and a crumbling of routines, we shouldn’t be surprised that more children are suffering from anxiety and depression.
After the first lockdown in mid-2020, 50 per cent of children felt worse, although interestingly 25 per cent of children felt better (perhaps those who benefited from increased time with family at home or were struggling with or unhappy at school).
Sadly, the number of young people experiencing trauma is likely to have increased or become more vulnerable. For example, a recent study has shown that young people in Italy who spent longer in lockdown were three times as likely to experience PTSD symptoms.
There is an African proverb which says: 'It takes a village.' The key idea is that it takes many people to raise a child. As well as parents and guardians, there is invariably a whole network behind them, which includes teachers and nursery workers.
When it comes to dealing with trauma, they are often on the front line. Recent research from Anna Freud produced some eye-catching results: 69 per cent of nursery staff said they had experienced working with babies or children affected by trauma or abuse.
It is clear that we need to do more to train and support nursery workers and teachers in identifying trauma in children and young people under their care and signposting for further support when needed.
It is alarming that of the 1.5 million children and young people who need mental health support, only a minority are able to access treatment. We are storing up problems for the future. Of those children experiencing trauma, we need to monitor them actively, and if symptoms persist, that is where intervention and support for the adults around the child is needed.
At Anna Freud, this is a key area for us. We host the UK Trauma Council (UKTC), the first UK-wide platform bringing together expertise in research, practice, policy and lived experience in the field of childhood trauma. The UKTC provide a range of evidence based and informed resources around trauma for carers and professionals (see here), including a recent set of resources around traumatic bereavement that has sadly become more common during the pandemic.
As we hopefully emerge from the significant stress and challenges induced by Covid-19, we need to be aware of the trauma experienced by so many children and redouble our efforts to help.
Michael Samuel MBE is chair of the Anna Freud Centre and writes in a personal capacity.