Do not leave children, teenagers and young adults alone in social crises

On November 28, 2022, the German Ethics Council will publish its ad hoc recommendation “Pandemic and mental health. Attention, assistance and support for children, young people and young adults in and after social crises”. In it, the Ethics Council recommends that the care situation for young people who develop psychological problems in crisis situations be improved quickly and sustainably.

“Children, adolescents and young adults must not be left alone in social crises,” emphasizes Alena Buyx, chairwoman of the German Ethics Council. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been insufficient appreciation of the psychological stress they have been exposed to as a result of the pandemic itself and the measures taken to combat it. Great solidarity was demanded of the young generation,” Buyx continued. “But those who found themselves in distress did not reliably receive the attention and support they needed. As a society, we owe children, teenagers and young adults not only gratitude and respect, but also concrete action. Therefore, supportive offers must be expanded, gaps in care must be closed and it must be absolutely avoided that young people are the first or have to bear a particularly large burden in current and future social crises.

Presentation of the ad hoc recommendation “Pandemic and mental health” with Stephan Rixen, Petra Bahr and Alena Buyx (from left)
Presentation of the ad hoc recommendation “Pandemic and mental health” with Stephan Rixen, Petra Bahr and Alena Buyx (from left)

The German Ethics Council calls, among other things, for low-threshold and comprehensive school psychology services and psychosocial support services.

Facilities that provide diagnostics, advice, medical treatment and participation assistance for children and young people, but also help for parents and families, must be able to rely on reliable financing. Concrete plans should be presented promptly on how existing deficiencies in medical and non-medical diagnostics and treatment for children and young people with psychological problems can be remedied. Information campaigns on mental health should provide information about advice and other support services and show access to such services, including in the leisure sector.

Ad hoc recommendation of the Ethics Council: Ukraine, inflation and energy crisis and there would be more crises to come. It should not be overlooked how burdened the young generation is already. Alena Buyx (Chairwoman of the Ethics Council)

Those working in the education, social and health sectors must receive specific training with regard to the prevention of psychological stress and illnesses. Research into the consequences of measures to deal with social crises (not just pandemics) should be promoted. Overall, it must be ensured that children, adolescents and young adults are protected with all possible strength in social crises. This also includes taking their concerns seriously, enabling forms of age-appropriate participation in crisis management and listening to young people themselves.

The German Ethics Council is formulating these recommendations in the light of its autumn meeting, which will take place in September 2022 on the topic “Meet the Ethics Council! Our lives in the pandemic” took place. Around 350 students were invited to exchange ideas about their experiences in the COVID-19 pandemic. With their statements and presentations, the young people gave their generation a face and voice in a creative and powerful way.

Video: Broadcast live from November 28th, 2022

Presentation of the ad hoc recommendation of the German Ethics Council on “Pandemic and mental health. Attention, assistance and support for children, adolescents and young adults in and after social crises” with Prof. Dr. Alena Buyx (Chairwoman of the German Ethics Council), Prof. Dr. Petra Bahr (Member of the German Ethics Council) and Prof. Dr. Stephan Rixen (Member of the German Ethics Council)

Source: German Ethics Council

Also read: Two years of pandemic and no end to the crisis in sight. Unfiltered consumption of social media can fuel fears among young people.


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