Education is important, but mental health is more important

Mr de Quervain, young people are currently particularly affected by depression, as your study shows. Why is the crisis hitting children and young people so hard psychologically?

Adolescence is a time of many changes on a physical, personal and social level. It's a vulnerable time and the pandemic has brought several stress factors together. The social restrictions are stressful for many young people, stress levels have risen in many families and the pressure at school has increased.

You are in favour of schools taking the pressure off. Why is that?

We know from the time before the pandemic that school pressure is the factor that puts the greatest strain on children and young people. Now schools are increasingly having to deal with class or school closures and many quarantine cases. If schools now do everything they can to catch up on missed lessons, this creates even more pressure. Relief must therefore be brought about. The curriculum should be adapted to the circumstances. As a doctor, I can only say that education is very important, but mental health is even more important.

Are young people less resilient today because they have not yet (and fortunately) had to live through any real crises, at least not in central and northern Europe? In other words, are older people more crisis-resistant?

Our data shows that the 65-plus generation is actually the least mentally affected group. They are financially secure, which removes a lot of pressure. The daily routine of an over-65 is also different to that of a 17-year-old who misses going out, for example. And of course, older people have more life experience, which can help them to categorise crises differently. Nevertheless, we must not forget that there are also older people who are suffering mentally as a result of the pandemic.

But are all young people really doing so badly?

Our data shows that mental stress has increased significantly over the course of the pandemic. But a closer look at the study figures also shows that not everyone is equally affected by the pandemic. When we say that young people are suffering the most from the pandemic, we are talking about a statistical mean value and comparing it with the mean values of the other age groups. When analysed in more detail, the following picture emerges: In the 14-24 age group, the proportion with pronounced depressive symptoms is 29 per cent. This figure has doubled since the lockdown in April. A further 24 per cent of respondents have moderate symptoms and around half stated that they are experiencing mild to no symptoms.

You said: "How stress is defined is subjective. What do you mean by that?

An external event can be perceived very differently by two people. The perception of stress and the ability to deal with stress well depend on the one hand on genes and on the other hand on the environment and thus on what one has experienced and observed. If important caregivers such as parents, godparents or friends deal with stress more easily or confidently, this can also be transferred to the child's behaviour.

In times of crisis, people rise above themselves. In terms of young people, this could mean that many of them start to tackle things themselves. Do you see this opportunity?

Yes, this opportunity exists. For example, when children and young people discover a new hobby, do more sport or make their own plans. Crises are upsetting, but they can have an activating effect, as we know from other studies. It is important that parents support their children in this - also in the sense of trying out new activities together.

How can parents generally support their children during these times?

It is important to talk to the children and teenagers and ask them how they are experiencing all of this emotionally. Children should be told the truth and things should be explained in an age-appropriate way. Parents should calmly address the uncertainties that we all experience when dealing with the coronavirus crisis. From a medical point of view, it is important not to miss anything. This means catching a child before they slip into depression or anxiety disorder due to mental overload.

What signs should mums and dads look out for?

Persistent depression, constantly putting off homework, sleep problems, social withdrawal, aggressive behaviour, compulsions or even persistent listlessness can be indicators. Mental stress can also manifest itself indirectly through recurring stomach aches or headaches. Very important: Parents should not wait too long to speak to their child if they realise that something is wrong. If parents get stuck, they should definitely seek professional help.

Instead of lamenting about what is currently not possible, you suggest focussing on the things that are possible.

For many people in Switzerland, many things are still possible. You can go out, play, go for a walk, go sledging or cycling. Psychologically, it is very helpful to focus on what you can do and what is fun.

What could the post-corona society look like?

The crisis will remain in society's memory. When the worst is over, a period of reappraisal will begin at various levels. For example, it will be necessary to analyse and discuss what went well in the fight against the pandemic and what did not. At the family level, it will depend on how badly a family was affected by coronavirus. For example, whether parents have lost their job or whether a loved one has died from coronavirus. From a psychological point of view, the question of guilt could also play a major role, in the sense of: «If I hadn't invited my grandparents to dinner without a mask, they would still be alive».

Even if it may seem provocative to ask you this in view of current events, what do you personally find positive about the current phase that we are experiencing as a collective?

At this stage, we have vaccines available and the initial results from various countries show that they are both safe and effective. I find that extremely positive. Otherwise, your question is somewhat difficult to answer, especially when you have someone in mind who has developed depression due to the coronavirus crisis. The fact that paradisiacal Switzerland, which has so far been spared global crises, is now experiencing this pandemic is a drastic experience. Only time will tell whether it also has positive aspects. But at least there is a sensitisation to the fact that health and prosperity are fragile and that we need to take care of them.