ENG1503 Assignment 1 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semester 2 2023 (646942) - DUE 15 August 2023.

ENG1503 Assignment 1 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semester 2 2023 () - DUE 15 August 2023. 100% CORRECT questions, answers, workings and explanations. for assistance. Mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and youth – a systematic review Pandemics and other large-scale emergencies have the potential to negatively affect mental health during the event and long after. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, mitigation measures have interrupted in-person learning, social and community networks, recreational activities and access to health care, challenging access to important routines, social structures, resources, and supports. While these measures are necessary to prevent an escalating public health emergency, prolonged social isolation and home confinement may lead to immediate and long-term mental health and well-being challenges (Kaufman et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2020). Short-term factors contributing to mental distress during the COVID-19 pandemic include concerns about SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent health impacts, social isolation, and worsening social determinants of mental health such as socioeconomic ENG1503/001/2023 5 stressors resulting in stress and increased mental illness (Aknin et al., 2021). Mental health impacts of disasters, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorder, as well as domestic violence and child abuse, have been identified in settings such as the aftermath of the SARS epidemic, 9–11, Hurricane Katrina, and other humanitarian emergencies (Furr, Comer, Edmunds, & Kendall, 2010; Galea, Merchant, & Lurie, 2020; Purgato et al., 2019; Sprang & Silman, 2013; B. Tang, Liu, Liu, Xue, & Zhang, 2014; Tang, Deng, Glik, Dong, & Zhang, 2017; Tol et al., 2011). The cumulative effect of multiple risk factors and inadequate protective factors can reduce mental well-being and increase vulnerability to mental illness emergence (World Health Organization, 2014). Individuals at risk may experience new onset of mental illness, while those with pre-existing mental health conditions may experience symptomatic worsening, especially if mental health service access is impeded (Moreno et al., 2020). The unprecedented reach of COVID-19 pandemic impacts necessitates urgent population-level monitoring of mental health to optimize efforts for prevention and mitigation of its effects. Pre-existing vulnerabilities, such as socioeconomic disadvantage, neurodiverse needs, or disability may increase risk of poor mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizational closures and physical distancing requirements have reduced social contact and support, compromising food security in some cases and secondary oversight of child and adolescent emotional and physical safety (Poole, Fleischhacker, & Bleich, 2021; Salt et al., 2021; Swedo et al., 2020). Students who rely on special education, lack digital access or tools, or live in unstable home settings fall behind their peers as schools move online. The following factors and outcomes emerged in our review and were used to categorize findings: mental health-related outcomes (depressive symptoms; self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide; anxiety symptoms; COVID-19-related fear, concern, and worry; general mental health; mental health service utilization; other mental health outcomes); demographic factors (age, gender); contextual factors (pandemic control measures; social connection; family relationships; technology use and media consumption; and population factors (neurodiverse children and adolescents; chronic physical conditions; additional resilience and protective factors)). Mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents are significant and should be of tremendous concern to policymakers and practitioners globally. As the pandemic continues, innovative approaches that increase access to mental health services, as well as promote resilience and mental well-being such as maintaining social connection despite isolation and renewing social ties during the recovery phase may be explored. ENG1503/001/2023 6 Similarly, increasing identification and supports for children, adolescents, and families experiencing disproportionate impacts as well as implementation of preventive measures more broadly may reduce long-term mental health sequelae in children and adolescents. Lastly, the pandemic may offer opportunities to identify pre-pandemic gaps in mental health service provision, adapt systems, and ‘build it back better’ (Moreno et al., 2020). Adapted from: Samji, H., Wu, J., Ladak, A., Vossen, C., Stewart, E., Dove, N., Long, D. and Snell, G. 2022. Review: Mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and youth – a systematic review. Child Adolesc Ment Health, 27: 173-189. Instruction: Answer the following questions in short paragraphs of not more than 150 words each. Do not quote directly from the text unless you are instructed to do so. a) In your own words, summarise the main ideas of the text. (10 marks) b) Suggest THREE ways in which awareness can be raised about mental health issues in children. Cite TWO external sources to support your answer. (No reference list is required). (10 marks) c) In the last paragraph, Samji et al. (2022: 1) mention that “Mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents are significant and should be of tremendous concern to policymakers and practitioners globally”. With reference to the text, discuss why mental health issues in children should be taken seriously. (10 marks) d) Quote and discuss the effects of any THREE features of academic writing from the text. (Refer to Unit 5 of Tutorial letter 501). (10 marks) e) According to paragraph 2, “Students who rely on special education, lack digital access or tools, or live in unstable home settings fall behind their peers as schools move online” (Samji et al., 2022: 1). Do you agree or disagree with this statement? In your answer, you should quote from the text above and/or use your own experience/s to support your answer. (10 marks)