Children left CRIPPLED by endless lockdowns and Covid panic sees kids as young as five getting counselling – as an expert reveals how to keep little ones happy in the pandemic

Australians as young as five are seeking counselling as demand for mental health services skyrockets due to Covid panic and gruelling lockdowns.  

Hugh van Kylenburg, the founder of The Resilience Project, says children are struggling to cope with stress induced by the pandemic, which has seen schools closed, kids separated from peers, and major milestones missed. 

Worrying data from the Kids Helpline show that counselling for children as young as five has surged by 200 per cent during the first six months of this year, compared to the same period in 2020. 

And incidents of counsellors being forced to call police to prevent self-harm incidents, have jumped by 99 per cent over the past eight months. 

It comes amid reports that children are also suffering with the virus itself, with 44 children testing positive in New South Wales in just one day.

Alarming data from the Kids Helpline shows the number of kids seeking counselling has surged by 200 per cent

Appearing on The Project on Thursday, Mr van Kylenburg said his organisation - which teaches mental health strategies to businesses and schools - had noticed similar patterns of distress among children. 

'Anxiety levels are going up. The kids are more irritable than usual. They have a short fuse,' he said. 

However, Mr van Kylenburg said the trend was not limited to specific age groups. 

'A lot of the kids who cope well are not coping well just not kids. That's what I'm seeing with adults around the country as well.' 

'There is great vulnerability and strength that we are part of big communities, but what we're seeing when our kids, when the adult's anxiety goes up so too does the kid's. 

'The most powerful way to influence your child's behaviour is to model that behaviour.'

Asked by host Peter Helliar how adults can provide certainty for their children while they remain unsettled, Mr van Kylenburg said listening to their concerns offers stability. 

'There is a lot of stuff we cannot offer certainty about, but we can let them know whatever they are feeling is ok,' Mr van Kylenburg said.

Hugh van Kylenburg has offered advice to parents on how to help children struggling with their mental health during the Covid pandemic 

The Covid pandemic is taking a toll on children as well as parents, as students are forced to remain separated from teachers and peers. Pictured: Lake Munmorah Public School, where two students tested positive to Covid earlier this month, sending hundreds of staff and kids into isolation

'What we need to be doing is validating whatever they feel. So when they come to us, we have got to say, "It is OK to feel like that." 

'Way too often we want to solve the problem for them. What they want is to have their feelings validated and we can offer certainty with that.' 

Mr van Kylenburg said there is a 'whole host' of things both adults and children can do to day-to-day keep on top of their mental health during these difficult times. 

While Covid has turned routines upside, he said families can gain some control by structuring their days.   

'Before you go to bed at night with your kids say, "What are you looking forward to most tomorrow?" Mr van Kylenburg said. 

'If they can't think of something schedule something in that moment with them. Hope and optimism are a big part of being happy.

'The usual things we look forward to are not there anymore. Schedule something you're looking forward to. That's a big one.'

HUGH VAN KYLENBURG'S TIPS ON SUPPORTING KIDS DURING COVID

1. Validate their feelings

2. Schedule in things to look forward to 

3. Perform acts of kindness together

4. Practice gratitude together

The mental health expert said performing kind deeds was another activity parents could do with children to boost their happiness - as well as the recipient's. 

He suggested scheduling a random act of kindness to carry out together, such as baking something and getting the kids to drop it off, or writing someone a letter.   

Another tool all age groups can use to keep positive is practising gratitude.   

'Another thing you can do before you go to bed at night, get them your to write down or talk to you about, three things that went well for you during the day,' he said. 

Helliar offered up a few of his own tried-and-tested techniques. 

'I like to make the bed each morning. It gives me a sense of accomplishment. I like to find new music to listen to. I find that helps me,' Helliar said. 

Mr van Kylenburg agreed they were recommendable options. 

'Music has an enormous impact on our wellbeing. For your kids, have music playing around the house that they love provided you like it as well,' Mr van Kylenburg said.

'There is research that say making your bed helps you have a better day, so you're very much on the money.' 

The advice comes as NSW health authorities welcomed the state's chief psychiatrist to speak at Thursday's press conference as Greater Sydney's highly infectious Delta outbreak continues to spiral out of control.  

The unprecedented move highlighted the devastating toll of Covid restrictions on residents across the region as the lockdown approaches its eighth week.  

Hugh van Kylenburg said scheduling in activities with kids can help provide structure, which is beneficial for mental wellbeing

Sydney and surrounding regions will be in lockdown until at least August 28, which looks likely to be extended as case numbers continue to climb. 

Meanwhile, Northwest NSW, Dubbo, Armidale, Tamworth, Byron Bay and the Hunter region are also under snap restrictions.

Dr Murray Wright described Covid lockdowns as 'probably the most sustained and serious stress that many of us are going to face in our lifetime', and advised Australians to create a plan to monitor and manage the stress.

He said it is important to recreate structure in our lives, which many have lost due to stay-at-home orders, and suggested doing such through daily exercise and contacting loved ones.

He said it is important to talk about the pandemic and wellbeing with others, including asking them if they are okay.

'That never does harm, it often does a world of good," Dr Wright said on Thursday.

He said talking about wellbeing 'will minimise the long-term impact of mental health issues long after the pandemic has gone.'

Greater Sydney, Northwest NSW, Dubbo, Armidale, Tamworth, Byron Bay and the Hunter region are currently in lockdown. Pictured:  Maitland Christian School in the Hunter Valley, was forced to close after two students tested positive 

His other advice included setting goals to manage stress every day and reviewing them, and monitoring diet, sleep and alcohol intake.

'None of us always executes the perfect plan, but it's important to review it and renew it on a daily basis,' he said.

Mental health warning signs include difficulties with sleep and concentration, undue fatigue, feeling overwhelmed and irritable, and consuming too much alcohol.

If people detect these warning signs in themselves or others, they should think about how they can change their approach or if they need help.

Dr Wright said NSW Health had invested in making telephone health services more widely available.

He also advised looking up online organisations like Beyond Blue which have specific advice for managing the pandemic.

People should cut each other some slack as everyone is experiencing stress and may not respond to situations in their usual way, he said. 

If you or anyone you know is in need of mental health support you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636