Child psychiatrist on returning to school in a war situation: “To create a sense of security in the short term, over which they do control”

48% of the students entering high school report a deterioration in their mental state in the past year, This is according to a survey published today by researchers from Beit Berel College. The survey, which examined samples of 400 parents of 1st-12th graders and 177 students entering 12th grade, also found that 40% of the parents of students in grades 1-12 reported a deterioration in their children’s mental state last year.

The researchers also found that a quarter of the parents are afraid to send their children to their daughterJ The book at the beginning of the school year. This figure is even higher among the residents of the North, where 35% of parents are afraid to send their children toJ The book, and among the Arab public 46% of parents fear the beginning of the school year.

According to Dr Chaya Rybitskya child psychiatrist at the ‘Kallit’ hospital fund in Be’er Sheva, who did not participate in the study, the period of returning to school in the midst of a war can mark mental challenges for children and teenagers.

“The current period is very confusing, especially for children and teenagers who do not always know how to mediate reality for themselves. On the one hand, there is an attempt to broadcast business as usual, there was a great holiday and now we are going back to school like every year. But it is difficult to detach ourselves from the harsh reality, in which we are exposed to tragedies, whether Directly, through messages received from the adults around them, or through the media and social networks.

“This confusing experience creates feelings of uncertainty, lack of control and insecurity that can lead to a mental aggravation of gloom, anxiety, depression and other conditions, even among children and teenagers who are not directly affected by the war.”

Dr. Rivitzki points to an increase in referrals to mental health clinics among children and teenagers. According to her, most children and teenagers are unable to put words to the emotional experiences they go through. She indicates a number of symptoms that parents should be aware of, which can indicate mental difficulties:

• Physical complaints: “The body speaks for the mind – suddenly stomach aches, headaches, even real symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting appear.” According to her, it is important to check with medical officials to rule out medical causes for physical symptoms.
• Change in behavior: “A child who was sociable and suddenly withdraws and does not initiate social gatherings, or the other way around, a more introverted child who starts to erupt in rage.”
• Damage to the reality checker: “Especially small children sometimes describe hallucinations, they will say they saw something that doesn’t exist, monsters or demons, as part of mental states of depression and anxiety.”
• Appetite disorders: When a child or teenager does not want to eat and loses weight, or vice versa – starts eating much more than usual, the reason can be mental.
• Sleep disorders: Dr. Ribitsky points to sleep problems as “one of the most sensitive signs for children and teenagers who are not well”, which can manifest as difficulty falling asleep, shallow sleep, many awakenings, and complaints of night nightmares.

What can be done?
“First of all, be vigilant, because a child who needs help will not necessarily recognize it on his own. It is useful to initiate a direct and eye-level conversation with the child about the situation, in an age-appropriate manner, about what he is experiencing and what he is going through – You can use stories; to normalize the abnormal situation we are all in; to limit as much as possible the exposure to communication devices; try to regain some sense of security; not to expose them directly to our concerns, the adults; to tell them that we are here for them; Don’t say statements you can’t stand behind, like “Everything will be fine”, but to create a sense of security in the short term, over which they do control; try to create a schedule of a normal routine – along with going back to school, classes, physical activities, accompanying the parent for errands.

“If you are concerned that there is a lasting change in mood or behavior, contact a professional – a pediatrician or a family doctor is a good place to start, and they can refer you to a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker. You should not be afraid to contact a professional. The vast majority of children and youth who turn to For treatment, they improve and return to function.”