Mongolia- Children encounter psychological disorders as a result of Covid’s lockdown

September 3, 2021 at 11:23 PM

Many children in Mongolia suffer from psychological issues and instability, as a result of the lockdown imposed by the pandemic on schools kindergartens, and training centers. Covid caused psychological disorders in children and changed their daily lives which prompted the psychologist at the National Institute of PsychologyB.Bayartsengel, to warn about a change in the behavior of some children due to the lockdown, in turn, the parent of one of the students, the B.Elbegjargal, said that children and families get bored of sitting watching TV for long times. It is reported that Mongolia has imposed the lockdown four times since September 2020, for about two years.

Interview with (B.Bayartsengel – Psychologist National Institute of Psychology): “Psychological instability is observed among young children and teenagers in Mongolia. There are many special psychological changes for families and children of kindergarten age who come to our institute. The psychological feature of kindergarten children is that they supplement social interactions through movement, play, and learning. This social relationship is not well compensated in the family environment. For example, children who are outgoing and have high self-confidence are more likely to be aggressive. Susceptibility to behavioral changes was observed also”

Interview with (B.Munkh-Egshiglen -7th grader): “I could not see my friends during the lockdown. I couldn’t go to the cinema, coffee shop or park with my friends. This year the park opened and I played with my friends. During February, March, and December, I was unable to do my homework with my friends because I was unable to meet my friends. During the quarantine, I just sat at home in a very boring place. But I did my homework.”

Interview with (B.Elbegjargal – Parent): “Children from apartment families have nothing to do and watch a lot of tvs. Children get bored of the toys they play with every day. Even though parents spend time with them and change the games they play, they can’t spend the full 12 hours. It was very harmful to our older children to stop going to kindergarten. Psychologically, they become sad. They spent a lot of time watching youtube, unable to find anything to do. It is, of course, very harmful to their health.