4 | COVID-19 concerns raised by children and young people The impact of having plans for study or travel disrupted was raised as a significant mental health concern for the older cohorts, particularly those in Years 11 and 12 and young adults. For those graduating from high school, plans to study, start a job, travel or study overseas were now on hold. School trips overseas were cancelled. These disruptions have left them with a feeling of loss and disappointment. Some mentioned the effect of ongoing uncertainty on their mental state. They were struggling with the inability to make plans for the future, even with the prospect on the horizon of some restrictions being removed. A few said they were sad and grieving because someone close to them (but not immediate family) had died and mentioned that they were unable to attend the funeral in person because of COVID-19. Case studies: Changes to plans and usual activities ‘Lily’, aged 12, rang Kids Helpline to say that she wished everything would go back to normal. She was finding it sad that she couldn’t go to netball or dance classes, or go over to her friend’s house. Some of her friends are not at school, and they are all being told to wash their hands all the time. ‘Will’, aged 15, said he has always struggled with anxiety and a fear of disappointing his parents. He rang Kids Helpline to talk about his low self-worth, and how he was bullied in primary school. He had planned to travel to the UK to play football next year, which is something he is really good at. But all these plans had been postponed, and next year he will be too old to take up the opportunity. 28 ‘Dylan’, aged 18, contacted Kids Helpline to talk about his deep disappointment at the cancellation of Year 12 events, especially extra-curricular events like farewell breakfasts and dinners, performances and excursions that have been cancelled indefinitely. The cancellation of the school musical has really upset him because he loves drama and music and would have been guaranteed a key role. He said he felt like his Year 12 has been ‘ruined’. ‘Amelia’, aged 17, rang Kids Helpline to talk about her sadness and disappointment with her life at the moment. She is finding studying online in Year 12 very tedious. She had been looking forward to some special events in the year, one of which was her 18th birthday. She had planned to have a big party with her friends to celebrate, but that has been cancelled and she feels like there is nothing to look forward to. Worse, she planned to take a gap year next year and travel to Europe. But now that seems unlikely to happen. Although her parents are supportive, she feels like her mother belittles her situation by comparing it to other people who are worse off. ‘Thomas’, aged 18, rang Kids Helpline to say that all his family’s plans had been disrupted because of the virus, including his sister’s university studies and his parents travel plans. He also discussed how he has had to put off his plans to move out as he is afraid of contracting COVID-19. ‘Ester’, aged 20, rang Kids Helpline because she is worried that she is relapsing into her old eating disorder. She said that she plays sports – basketball and goes to the gym – in order to cope with her disorder and stay healthy, but now these activities have stopped due to coronavirus.