Section 5: Children’s mental health and wellbeing over the past two years Parents/guardians and grandparents responding on behalf of their child were also asked whether they felt the pandemic had a negative impact on their child’s mental health and wellbeing. 80% said that the pandemic had a negative impact. This is double the percentage of children who self-reported negative impacts (41%). Figure 10: Parents/guardians and grandparent’s survey: I felt like the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on my child’s wellbeing 5.2 Children’s worries or concerns throughout the pandemic Children were asked what caused them worry or concern over the last two years. Their top three issues identified were: 1. Missing out on things I look forward to, like holidays and school camps 2. Less time with friends and family in person 3. Catching or spreading COVID-19 Figure 11: Children’s survey: What caused you worry or concern over the last two years? 6% Missing out on things I look forward to, like holiday or school camps 4% 11% 80% Yes (n=704) No (n=98) I don’t know (n=32) Did not answer question (n=50) 1931 Less time with friends and family in person 1908 1767 Catching or spreading COVID-19 Feeling unsure about the world around me 1584 1403 Feeling lonely Wearing masks 1378 News about COVID-19 1373 1372 Learning at home instead of going to school Not as many activities and things to do, like sport 1356 Getting tested for COVID-19 (RAT or PCR) 1297 1079 Getting vaccinated 1060 People being stressed or fighting at home 759 How I look Not being able to go to playgrounds Not having as much money as before Something else Not being able to get a job 42 | 689 398 335 157 ‘Mental health shapes my life’: COVID-19 & kids’ wellbeing • 2022 | 43