4.7 Changes to plans and usual activities • Children and young people were missing their usual activities such as sporting teams, dance classes, going to the gym, clubs, volunteering, church, parties and shopping. They spoke about being bored, having no routine, and missing their friends because they were unable to participate in these activities. • Some children and young people were concerned that they were unable to engage in activities that were their usual way of coping with mental health issues. • Children and young people expressed disappointment that certain events had been cancelled, including typical ‘rites of passage’ such as 18th birthday parties and graduation events. They also were sad that they could not attend events such as weddings and funerals of friends and acquaintances. • Young people spoke about the mental health impacts of disrupted study and travel plans, particularly those in Years 11 and 12, and young adults. Fourteen percent (348) of children and young people raised COVID-19 in the context of changes to plans and usual activities. These concerns were likely exacerbated by school closures and remote learning. These concerns were raised slightly more frequently by children and young people aged 1517 and 18-25. It was one of the top five concerns for children and young people aged 15-17, and young people aged 18-24, especially males. It was also one of the top five concerns for males aged 11-14. These concerns were also raised more frequently by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people than children and young people that did not identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. It was the third highest top concern for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Children and young people from CALD backgrounds also raised these concerns more than those that did not identify as having CALD backgrounds. It was the second highest top concern for males with CALD backgrounds. Children and young people are generally involved in extracurricular activities. These provide them with socialisation, learning, and entertainment. The restrictions limited the types of activities outside of the home that children and young people usually engaged with. Children and young people spoke about missing sporting teams, dance classes, going to the gym, clubs, volunteering, church, parties and shopping. They talked about being bored, having no routine, and missing their friends because they were unable to participate in these activities. Children and young people frequently expressed the view to Kids Helpline that everything enjoyable had been removed from their lives. Some children and young people said that having an activity was their usual way of coping with mental health issues. For example, sporting activities were mentioned as a way of coping with anxiety. Not being able to engage in that activity was causing distress and an escalation of their existing conditions. The importance of sport to the mental and physical health of children is emphasised in a report on the sport-related impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children by the Centre for Sport and Human Rights. This report found that restricting participation in sports may have a detrimental effect on the mental health of children, and, especially for vulnerable children, deprive them of a safe haven.8 Children and young people also spoke to Kids Helpline about activities that were not regular, but which in normal circumstances they would be able to attend, such as funerals of friends, weddings and birthday parties, especially the typical rites of passage for young people, such as 18th birthday parties. Year 12 students expressed their disappointment at not being able to bond with their fellow classmates in activities planned for their final year of school, including special school excursions, social and graduation events. As one young person said: ‘everything we look forward to has been cancelled’. Impacts of COVID-19 on children and young people who contact Kids Helpline • 2020 • 27