Researchers from the University of Calgary and McGill University are currently conducting research on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of youth with disabilities. The research project aims to design COVID-19 policy responses that are inclusive, equitable, and evidence-informed to meet the mental health needs and promote well-being for Canadian youth with disabilities and their families.
Some of the research completed to date indicates:
- Youth with disabilities and their families face higher risk of catching and getting infected by COVID-19 virus than others
- Existing health issues in youth with disabilities increase the above mentioned risk
- As a result, the youth and their families experience increased mental health issues
- Many persons with disabilities find it difficult to follow public health guidance like mask-wearing or physical distancing. Thus, they experience increased anxiety and isolation
- Disturbance in services and support results in various mental health symptoms, for example:
- Increased stress
- Sleep issues
- Behavior issues
- Some of the groups that experience a high risk of mental health problems are:
- Persons with disabilities from low income families
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with disabilities living in rural areas
- Policies that do not consider the unique needs and situations faced by youth with disabilities and their families increase the mental health challenges
Research has also identified COVID-19 policies that do not meet the needs of youth with disabilities and their families:
- Many essential services were reduced or cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some example of the services include, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech-language pathology services, and daily assistance with health and personal care
- Services were also delivered in online formats. Persons with disabilities might find it challenging to access and find their way through the online services
- Internet cost, lack of computers could increase the challenge of accessing the services
- At the beginning of the pandemic, many hospitals did not allow visitors to go along with patients with disabilities. This policy impacted the health of the patients and their families
- Lack of COVID-19 information in plain language makes it difficult to understand the information in easy ways. Plain language is an easy and clear to understand language
- Persons with disabilities and their families are not included in the planning of COVID-19 policies. The resulting policies do not include the needs and situations faced by this group
For more information on the research, please read the report, Nothing Without Us: COVID-19 Policy Responses to Improve the Mental Health of Youth with Disabilities and their Families.