‘.. a group of UK academics who work with children and adolescents. … concerned about the lack of focus on the needs of this age group … in policy making during the pandemic. We provide scientific evidence that might help to redress this imbalance.’
1/ Updated thread. The impact of lockdown on children/adolescents 2021. Or, why we need to keep schools open.

‘.. a group of UK academics who work with children and adolescents. … concerned about the lack of focus on the needs of this age group … in policy making during the pandemic. We provide scientific evidence that might help to redress this imbalance.’
https://t.co/ljAGD72fol
Conclusion: ‘The consequences of a large gap in schooling are waiting to be documented and these effects will occupy social services and mental health specialists for many years to come.’
https://t.co/WDSSlXC2LT
Concluding: Ensure safeguarding, bereavement, & mental health needs are promptly identified & evidence-based provision is made available to those who need it
https://t.co/UCXeBgqt5Z
‘Regional & local multi-agency planning to support the mental health of those known to be vulnerable & to maximise capacity to meet increased need over the next few years.’
https://t.co/qbRUnJmzad
‘Loneliness is associated with later depression and anxiety, up to 9 years later.’
https://t.co/j7DKZmwYDV
Importantly I noted ‘Suicide is the leading cause of death in England in 5-19 year olds and many more young people will die from suicide and road traffic accidents than Covid-19 this year’
‘… we can choose to put the needs and rights of children first – we can choose a different path.’
https://t.co/44nWfvLol6
https://t.co/Bk0yFH2e4h
We must ask ourselves whether future actions will in fact, ‘help, or at least, do no harm... safeguarding young people is everyone’s responsibility.’
https://t.co/20uX1RLcP0
‘Self-harm has been rising in recent years, alongside anxiety & depression. A real worry is that the pandemic & the measures taken to curb the spread of COVID-19 will exacerbate &entrench these trends.’
'Mental health research is underfunded. The current emphasis on COVID-19 research is likely to widen that inequality. Funders need to explicitly address this...to protect young people ...'
https://t.co/lIa30X8ctg
'More support needs to be readily available for those struggling with their mental health ...'
https://t.co/H0mFuipkzl
End.