A saúde mental das crianças na pandemia da Covid-19: uma perspectiva de professores de uma Unidade de Educação Infantil

Abstract

Some social groups have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as people with disabilities, people who experience situations of greater social vulnerability, indigenous people, children and teenagers. Studies have shown the damage that Covid-19 caused in the lives of children and teenagers with learning, social relationships, mental health and their development in general. Therefore, the objective of this study is to understand the implications caused on mental health of children by the Covid-19 pandemic with the perspective of teachers of an Early Childhood Education Unit. The specific objectives were: to identify the teachers' perception of children’s mental health and what are the strategies adopted by them, keeping in mind the mental health of these children during the pandemic. This is an exploratory, descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Teachers from an Early Childhood Education Unit participated. Data collection took place remotely, using a participant charatization form and a semi-structured interview. For data analysis, thematic analysis was used. The results showed an expanded understanding of mental health from the teachers’ perspective, involving aspects beyond the clinical picture and symptoms. In addition, it was identified that the pandemic impacted the development and mental health of children in general. The school appears as an important protective factor and promotion of children’s mental health and family support. It is hoped that this study can contribute not only to the understanding of a new and emerging reality, which is being reinvented day after day, but also to new reflections and discussions about intervention strategies and public policies aimed at children’s mental health.