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Experts: Strong adults help kids cope mentally with pandemic

Protecting kids mental health during pandemic
Posted at 4:00 AM, Aug 13, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-13 07:29:59-04

Dr. Tina Stefanski, Region 4 director for the Louisiana Department of Health, said, for years people have gone through wars and pandemics and they always seem to come out on the other side.

She said the key to that success is strong adults in the lives of children.

Stefanski said, while teaching physical preventative measures is key to safety, leading by example and letting your child know that it will be OK and that they can depend on you is key to getting through this pandemic.

"We also need to understand that,as adults, in addition to teaching these physical health preventative practices, also talk to your child and be that good/strong adult in their life," Stefanski said. "That's the predictive factor. They're coming out of this more strong and stable. If they know the adults in their life are stable and they can depend on them."

Dr. Stefanski suggested, if your anxiety level is too high or you are having a hard time, find another adult, someone the child trusts, to talk to them.