Our research

In our Emerging evidence series, we searched for evidence published during the pandemic from around the world, to help us begin to answer three questions:

• What are the key mental health challenges for children and young people during the coronavirus pandemic?
• What are the key mental health challenges for
  disproportionately affected groups?
• What might help children and young people to manage these challenges?

Our concluding issue (Issue 8) aims to summarise what we have learned, and sets out recommendations for supporting children and young people’s mental health as the pandemic continues and beyond.

The Emerging evidence series is a collaboration between the Evidence Based Practice Unit (EBPU) and the Child Outcomes Research Consortium (CORC).

Download & share Issue 1

Issue 1, 22nd May 2020

Download & share Issue 2

Issue 2, 17th June 2020

Issue 3, 26th August 2020

Download & share Issue 3

Parents, carers, pupils and teachers may have understandable worries  about returning to school after the summer break. Recent results from school staff surveys highlight concerns regarding the mental wellbeing of pupils and the importance of prioritising mental health support in the return to school process.

In this research bite, we draw on emerging literature from countries and contexts where schools have reopened after the coronavirus pandemic lockdown to identify the key factors that should be considered for reopening schools in relation to pupils’ mental health.

During this challenging time, adults may understandably want to protect children from distress, and might avoid talking about the implications of the coronavirus pandemic or the difficult feelings that some people may be experiencing in relation to the coronavirus.

This research bite looks at how we can have conversations with children and young people about the coronavirus and the impact it is having on our lives. Although the current context is unprecedented, past research can help us to understand how providing information and communicating with children and young people during difficult situations could be an important aspect of community-led responses to the pandemic.

Many strategies have been suggested for helping with anxiety, including social support, apps, exercise, the arts, relaxation and mindfulness.

Evidence suggests that online courses (e.g. computerised CBT) and various kinds of physical exercise could help young people who are feeling anxious. However, many of the self-management strategies available to young people haven’t been evaluated, or where they have, often there isn’t strong enough evidence to help us understand their effectiveness. This doesn’t mean that these strategies aren’t useful for young people who are struggling with anxiety, it mostly means they haven’t been explored enough through research. Motivation is quite important in the success of interventions so young people being able to choose strategies they enjoy might help.