Over 330 million youngsters have been stuck at home for about nine months, since the COVID-19 spread unprecedentedly this time last year, leaving them feeling isolated and anxious about their future.
“Tens and tens of millions of youngsters have been left feeling isolated and afraid and lonely and anxious because of these enforced lockdowns and isolations that have become as a result of this pandemic,” said UNICEF spokesperson James Elder.
He said countries needed to emerge from this pandemic “with a better approach, a better approach to child and adolescent mental health, and that probably starts just by giving the issue the attention it deserves.”
The UN agency also stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has halted critical mental health services in 93% of countries globally.