Dr. Nilda Santamaría, a specialist in Child Psychiatry, pointed out during her participation in the XI Forum on the Human Rights of Girls and Adolescents in Panama that the syndemic of Covid-19, which began in 2019, has had serious repercussions on the mental health of the Panamanian population. Santamaría highlighted that 32 percent of children in Panama have experienced some form of extreme violence during the pandemic, which was exacerbated by difficult economic and social circumstances.
The syndemic, defined as the concurrence of two or more epidemics that interact with the social and economic conditions of a population in a specific place and time, has left sequelae in the Panamanian population. Not only have a large number of Covid-19 cases been recorded, but factors such as poverty, malnutrition, and high levels of stress in vulnerable groups have also been observed.
Santamaría emphasized that the pandemic has generated considerable stress throughout the population, especially affecting children who have faced situations such as isolation, lack of affection, and disruption of their school routines. As a consequence, some children have resorted to self-harm as a way to cope with their emotional suffering, which should be taken seriously as a desperate cry for help.
The specialist stressed that depression continues to be one of the leading causes of illness among the population, and suicide remains a concern, particularly among adolescents. Therefore, she urged Public Health authorities to pay greater attention to the psychiatric problems of the population and to address the causes of stress affecting families and children.
Additionally, Santamaría recommended that parents exercise strict control over their minor children's use of electronic devices, suggesting that they regularly check the messages they receive, as these may contain threats or be harmful to their emotional well-being. In a context where poverty and violence combine to affect the mental health of children, it is essential to adequately protect and value the mental health of childhood in Panama.
