美國CDC建議家長於疫情期間多支持孩子心理健康

美國CDC建議家長於疫情期間多支持孩子心理健康

國立臺灣師範大學 簡于心研究生
 

　  面對新冠肺炎疫情，美國疾病管制與預防中心（Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC）與聯合國毒品和犯罪問題辦公室（United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime, UNODC）提供一些方法與策略協助家長陪伴孩子度過這段防疫隔離期。
 
　　美國CDC建議家長於疫情期間，除了持續加強防疫行為之外，也要多留意孩子的行為變化，多傾聽與陪伴孩子，並維持規律作息。感到焦慮時，也可以嘗試減少過度接觸媒體訊息：
 

1.強化日常防疫行為：提醒孩子經常洗手，遠離咳嗽、打噴嚏或生病的人。此外，提醒他們咳嗽或打噴嚏時用紙巾或肘部遮擋，並將衛生紙丟進垃圾桶。
2.多留意孩子的行為變化：並非所有孩子都會用相同方式處理壓力，以下有幾項孩童或青少年面對壓力時常見的行為，例如：年幼的孩童持續哭泣或易受刺激、不健康的飲食或睡眠習慣、青少年易怒或發洩行為、難以專注或注意力不集中、對於喜歡的事物失去興趣、不明原因頭痛或身體疼痛、飲酒及吸菸，或服用其他藥物等。
3.多傾聽、多陪伴：提供孩子安全感，多傾聽孩子的想法，並以孩子可以理解的方式與他們溝通，多讚美與鼓勵有助於和孩子建立良好的關係。也可以陪伴孩子一起閱讀、運動、玩棋盤遊戲等等。
4.維持規律作息：家長是孩童模仿的對象，停課期間建議規劃學習與放鬆的時間表，維持規律作息，保持充足的睡眠、健康的飲食、充足的身體活動，並與朋友和家人保持聯繫。
5.減少過度接觸媒體訊息：對於同一個主題接收過多訊息可能會導致焦慮，減少過度接觸疫情新聞報導，包含社交媒體。

 
UNODC網路平台「Listen First」亦提供家長「在新冠肺炎病毒(COVID-19)疫情期間如何照顧孩子」手冊，設計單元說明如何照顧青少年：
 

1.安全的生活環境：給予孩子安全感，並盡可能遵守政府防疫政策，減少家人與其他人接觸的風險。
2.提供溫暖與支持：關照孩子的需求，讚美並鼓勵良好的行為，有助於維持親子間的正向關係。
3.花時間相處並鼓勵遊戲：主動詢問孩子的感受，讓孩子知道您願意傾聽他們說話，對他們來說非常重要，亦可陪伴孩子玩遊戲，有助於孩子放鬆。
4.與朋友和家人保持聯繫：使用網路、社群媒體和電話與朋友和家人聯繫，可以緩解社交孤立所帶來的孤獨感。
5.排解孩子在家中的爭執與挑釁：若孩子們產生衝突，請堅定要求他們立即停止止，並清楚告訴他們應該以什麼方式取代衝突。寫下明確的規則，並與孩子們討論。稱讚孩子遵守規則的行為，可以幫助孩子學習您對他們行為表現的期望。
6.維持常規生活：邀請孩子參與制訂日常計畫，常規生活可以使家庭穩定，孩子們也因能掌握接下來會發生的事情而感到安定，例如：讓家庭維持相同的起床、用餐和就寢時間，以及日常運動習慣。
7.適時放鬆：可以運用緩慢的深呼吸(腹式呼吸)來幫助自己減少緊張，促進放鬆和減輕壓力。

 
我國有哪些管道提供心理相關專業協助？
 
在疾病流行期間，任何人都可能承受巨大的壓力、恐懼與焦慮，即便無法尋求面對面的心理諮商協助，我國政府提供線上的資源供民眾使用：
 

1.民眾疫情通報與諮詢服務中心－1922
2.各縣市社區心理衛生中心「防疫安心專線」－1925（依舊愛我）
3.「心情溫度計APP」：免費下載，內容包含心情檢測及分析建議、全國心理衛生資源、系列心理健康秘笈等等

 
Children and teens react, in part, on what they see from the adults around them. When parents and caregivers deal with the COVID-19 calmly and confidently, they can provide the best support for their children. Parents can be more reassuring to others around them, especially children, if they are better prepared.
 
Watch for behavior changes in your child
Not all children and teens respond to stress in the same way. Some common changes to watch for include:
 

1.Excessive crying or irritation in younger children.
2.Returning to behaviors they have outgrown (for example, toileting accidents or bedwetting).
3.Excessive worry or sadness.
4.Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits.
5.Irritability and “acting out” behaviors in teens.
6.Poor school performance or avoiding school.
7.Difficulties with attention and concentration.
8.Avoidance of activities enjoyed in the past.
9.Unexplained headaches or body pain.
10.Use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.

 
Ways to support your child

1.Talk with your child about the COVID-19 outbreak.
2.Answer questions and share facts about COVID-19 in a way that your child can understand.
3.Reassure your child that they are safe. Let them know it is okay if they feel upset.
4.Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn from you how to cope with stress.
5.Limit your family’s exposure to news coverage of the event, including social media.
6.Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand.
7.Try to keep up with regular routines. If schools are closed, create a schedule for learning activities and relaxing or fun activities.
8.Be a role model. Take breaks, get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat well. Connect with your friends and family members.
9.Spending time with your child in meaningful activities, reading together, exercising, playing board games.

 
Tips for talking to children

1.Remain calm. Remember that children will react to both what you say and how you say it. They will pick up cues from the conversations you have with them and with others.
2.Reassure children that they are safe. Let them know it is okay if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.
3.Make yourself available to listen and to talk. Let children know they can come to you when they have questions.
4.Avoid language that might blame others and lead to stigma.
5.Pay attention to what children see or hear on television, radio, or online. Consider reducing the amount of screen time focused on COVID-19. Too much information on one topic can lead to anxiety.
6.Provide information that is truthful and appropriate for the age and developmental level of the child. Talk to children about how some stories on COVID-19 on the Internet and social media may be based on rumors and inaccurate information. Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand.
7.Teach children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs. Remind children to wash their hands frequently and stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing or sick. Also, remind them to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, then throw the tissue into the trash.
8.If school is open, discuss any new actions that may be taken at school to help protect children and school staff.

參考資料：
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020, May 20). Re: Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019: Messages for parents, school staff, and others working with children. Retrieved fromhttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/talking-with-children.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020, July 1). Re: Helping Children Cope. Retrieved fromhttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/for-parents.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020, Dec 28).Re: COVID-19 Parental Resources Kit: Ensuring Children and Young People’s Social, Emotional, and Mental Well-being. Retrieved fromhttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/parental-resource-kit/index.html
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Retrieved fromhttps://www.unodc.org/listenfirst/en/covid_parents.html
陳安柔、陳宛庭、王一安、王郁婷 / 陳宜珍、黃瑋瑩、陳娟瑜（譯）。在新冠肺炎病毒(COVID-19)疫情期間如何照顧孩子。United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.